Rare bank note holder for Boucheron, 1893 (ivory, gold, enamel, rubies, sapphires & amethysts)

The rectangular box decorated with carved ivory panels depicting cherubic and floral motifs, applied with gold and enamel in floral designs enhanced with cabochon rubies, sapphires and amethysts, opening to reveal three graduated compartments, each with ivory openwork panels Signed Boucheron, no. 351 This unique desk ornament was created the year Frédéric Boucheron (1830-1902) moved to Place Vendôme, in 1893. After an apprenticeship with Jules Chaise and the opening of its first premises at the Palais Royal, Frédéric Boucheron was the first jeweller to settle on the famous Parisian square. He had already acquired fame as an expert in precious stones, a masterful technician and creator of beautiful jewels, winning the gold medal during the 'Exposition Universelle' in 1867. He worked for Boucheron as a jeweller between 1887 and 1920 creating objects such as inkstands, bottles, watches and boxes. His name was one of the select group of principal Boucheron jewellers chosen by Frédéric Boucheron to be featured at the 'Exposition Universelle' in Paris in 1900. This rare box displays Le Saché's unique and impressive skills in carving. The craftsmanship on this box is in ivory, however, his skills were versatile and he is known to have produced impressive carved items in other materials such as tortoiseshell and rock crystal. Objects by Le Saché also appear in the Tiffany collection and the firm thought so highly of the jeweller that they commissioned him to produce a brooch to commemorate the centenary of the United States' acquisition of Louisiana from Napoleon I.