Austrian Enamel Egg

This is a box in the shape of an egg made in the Vienna area of Austria around the mid to late 19th century. It is made of enamel on copper with the bronze mounts that are decorated very well. The enamel is suberb - nice strong colors and the quality of the handpainted designs is top. The lid and the base are decorated with two handpainted scenes of people doing different things and the in between areas are decorated with an elaborate scroll design including ballerinas, dogs, goats heads and so on. The finial is in the shape of a cherub and the base has three dolphin shaped feet with satire faces to the top. All in all a top quality piece! The interior of the box has a white background with a blue scroll / ivy type design. The box is in good condition with three larger chipped areas on the outside - one being in the scene on the lid with the lady and gentleman, one in the area of the lid by the ballerina's wings and one by the feet of the bottom which are hidden by the bronze mount. And a few tiny pinhead spots that are more superficial. None take away from the piece at all. A little oxidation on the mount but nothing bad. There are also three chips on the inside. The box is 6.75 inches tall and 3.375 inches in diameter. It is not marked sadly. Please email me for more information or photos.