Here we have one of those pieces that just ticks every box (for me at least) ... This smaller-sized French jeweller's cabinet is wooden with a glazed door and single shelf. The whole piece has been grained and then sign-written with the details of L. Lesieur - 4 Rue Armand-Brunet, Vierzon (mid-France). The cabinet is likely to date to the early 20th century and unlike most sign written antique furniture, this is an entirely original piece, not an embellishment. 

 

The last photo shows L Lesieur's shop in the early 20th century - with the wonderful, reverse painted signage along the shop front it's easy to imagine this cabinet in it's original setting. According to the cabinet, the service's offered by this jewellery shop were extensive; jewellery, watches, eyewear and goldsmithing with their repairs being 'neat and garunteed' - which is what you'd expect from a 'trusted house'! 

 

The cabinet has survived the decades in good order; the glass is the original with a lovely ripple that would be expected from antique cylinder glass. There are a few areas of paint loss commensurate with age but nothing that impacts on the legibility of the decoration. A row of pins sits along the top inner edge of the door - presumably for suspending chains / pendants or similar. Four (bizarrely out-of-centre) holes are present in the back from wall mounting - though it also sits happily on a flat surface. 

 

The cabinet measures 78cm high x 49cm wide x 23cm deep. 

 

S/N: #1441