Object Description
A Napoleon III Inlaid Cave à Liqueur
A decorative and convivial object of the 19th century, the casket finely veneered with walnut, bois noirci, the bevelled glass sides and top within frames of brass and mother-of-pearl marquetry, the drinks box enclosing a complete service of four cut-crystal stoppered decanters and sixteen matching glasses.
French, circa 1860
Designed to offer a refined presentation of various liqueurs, the ensemble reflects the bourgeois tradition of leisurely luncheons and intimate dinners, where the enjoyment of exceptional digestifs became an art. This period saw a flourishing of herbal liqueurs such as Cointreau, Grand Marnier, and Bénédictine which emerged alongside older favourites like vin de noix and ratafia.