Decorative box

Box Container (decorative box) for powder or cream from the museum collection, made of crystal glass and silver, by a Kraków gilder and bronzer, at the beginning of the 20th century (before 1920). The box is cylindrical, not very tall, with walls of thick crystal glass and a profiled silver cover, gilded on the inside. The walls and cover are decorated richly, with styled rocaille, regency ornamentation and rose blossoms. The cover bears a large rococo cartouche framed by a wreath of roses and rooster combs. The background of the cover is beaded. On the box bottom there is a polished pointed star. Gilder’s marks are placed on the inside of the cover. The box belongs to a set of cosmetic product containers made of five items. Such accessories, like powder containers, flasks for perfume and grooming waters, cream boxes, nail files, scissors, brushes, constituted the necessary equipment of the dressing table of the lady of the house. They were frequently made of crystal glass, silver and gilded silver, as well as richly decorated; they were frequently manufactured by famous gilders and appreciated artists. Possession of these indicated the status of the lady of the house.