Teniers Tavern Scene Repoussé Box
Decorative art, specifically a lidded casket or box • Manufactured in the style of David Teniers the Younger; likely produced by a European metalwork firm (such as those in Hanau, Germany, or Belgium).
Style & Movement
Dutch/Flemish Revival (Neo-Baroque) featuring 17th-century genre scenes.
Medium & Technique
Silver-plated white metal or pewter; featuring repoussé (hammering from the back) and chasing (detailing from the front) to create high relief, with applied oxidation for contrast.
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th century (Historicist period)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 25cm x 15cm x 8cm; rectangular horizontal format.
Subject Description
The lid depicts a bustling tavern or village festival scene after David Teniers the Younger, featuring peasants drinking, dancing, and playing music. The sides are decorated with continuous scrolling foliate and floral motifs in relief.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; showing signs of age-appropriate wear and patina consistent with utilitarian use.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $350 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Likely a mass-produced luxury decorative item for the European middle-class market around 1900. No specific labels visible in image.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the 19th-century fascination with the 'Golden Age' of Dutch and Flemish art, where traditional genre painting was translated into affordable decorative metalwork for domestic interiors.
Notable Features
Bold 'Teniers' inscription on the front rim identifies the specific aesthetic influence; features a lock mechanism and intricate scrollwork typical of the Hanau style.
Condition Issues
Surface tarnish, loss of plating on high-relief points (bleeding of the base metal), minor scratches, and potential wear to the hinge or interior lining.
Conservation Recommendations
Gentle cleaning with a soft cloth; avoid abrasive silver polishes that may remove remaining plating. Store in a low-humidity environment.