A PAINT BOX FROM THE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL COLLECTION A NAPOLEON IIII ORMOLU-MOUNTED CUT-BRASS INLAID AND RED TORTOISESHELL 'BOULLE' MARQUETRY, EBONY AND EBONISED COFFRET PEINTURE, BY MAISON ALPHONSE GIROUX, PARIS, CIRCA 1860

A PAINT BOX FROM THE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL COLLECTION
A NAPOLEON IIII ORMOLU-MOUNTED CUT-BRASS INLAID AND RED TORTOISESHELL 'BOULLE' MARQUETRY, EBONY AND EBONISED COFFRET PEINTURE
BY MAISON ALPHONSE GIROUX, PARIS, CIRCA 1860
Inlaid overall with etched cut-brass acanthus scrolls, the serpentine top centred by crown with orb and cross, the hinged lid enclosing rosewood-veneered compartments set with silvered trays with five pigment bottles, a solvent bottle, and a double pallet cup, above a red velvet fitted drawer holding various pallet knives and brush holders above a further shallow drawer, engraved signature to the lockplate ‘Alphse Giroux à Paris’
7 ½ in. (19 cm.) high; 22 in. (56 cm.) wide; 17 ¼ in. (44 cm.) deep

Special Notice
Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Provenance
Almost certainly commissioned for Alexander II, Emperor of Russia (1818 – 1881).
By repute gifted to Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich and Grand Duke of Russia (1843 - 1865).
Alexander III, Emperor of Russia (1845 – 1894).
Thence by descent, until gifted to a German noble family.
Thence by descent to present owner.

Saleroom Notice
Almost certainly commissioned for Alexander II, Emperor of Russia (1818 – 1881).
By repute gifted to Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich and Grand Duke of Russia (1843 - 1865).
Alexander III, Emperor of Russia (1845 – 1894).
By repute gifted to Hans Lothar von Schweinitz (1822-1901), the North German Confederation Ambassador to Russia in St-Petersburg, reportedly for his wife, Anna Jay (a keen amateur artist and daughter of John Jay II (1817-1874), the United States Minister to Austria-Hungary in Vienna, and great-granddaughter of John Jay (1745-1829), one of the Founding Father and 1st Chief Justice of the United States).
Thence by descent in a German noble family to present owner.

Pre-Lot Text
PROPERTY OF AN IMPORTANT NOBLE FAMILY