French sweets box from the renovation period, 19th century

Box for sweets from a French restaurant era, decorated on the lid with an elegant woman sitting in a flower garden with a harp in the background. The box is made entirely of cardboard, with two brass rings at the ends and printed, gold cardboard ribbons along the edges. The decoration is created using the verre églomisé technique, meaning it is an aquarelle print preserved under glass. The interior is divided into several compartments to hold many sweets. France, early 19th century.

These are valuable packaging for sugar-coated almonds, sold as gifts or for special occasions. A characteristic feature of these packages is their glass-encased decoration, reflecting the changing styles and tastes of the era. Their popularity grew alongside the expansion and desire to mark presence in confectionery markets, which were rapidly developing at the time. Interestingly, in confectionery production, there has always been a consistent focus on what we now commonly call packaging, prioritizing its value even before its contents. This is why decorations, gilding, twisted silk ribbons, and printed milk patterns resembling jewelry were used. Here are some national names that capture the essence of this phenomenon: in Turin, the kingdom of chocolate, Caffarel Prochet was born in 1826, and Leone in 1878. In 1888, the Lazzaroni & Figli company was established in Saronno. In 1900, the SAIWA (Società Accomandita Industria Wafer Affini) was founded in Genoa, helping the confectionery industry to expand across Italy and Europe.

Confectionery products were sold wholesale, but soon exclusive items were created for parties and celebrations; among these are Boite à Dragées (boxes with sugar-coated almonds), which are featured in this collection. The fixed verre églomisé decorations depict romantic or rural scenes. Made from cardboard, they have a border decorated with printed and gilded paper ribbons with Greek or leafy motifs; the interior can be divided into compartments. All were produced in France between the late 18th century and the early decades of the 19th century.

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Stunning Empire-style furniture dates from the period between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It originated during Napoleon’s reign, which imposed a strong resemblance to and references from Roman and Greek ornamentation.

Neoclassical furniture, associated with Louis XVI, also draws heavily from ancient architecture. Noteworthy are antique products in Rococo and Louis XV styles. The next is Baroque, derived from the Portuguese word barocco—meaning an irregularly developed pearl. These were highly decorative pieces designed to radiate splendor and play a significant role in luxury. Unique, selectively used materials were employed to further emphasize the grandeur of these items.

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