CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN

Escutcheons

Escutcheons are decorative plates, often made from brass, positioned around a keyhole or inlaid into the surface of a box. 

As well as protecting the surrounding veneer from wear, they could provide an important decorative focus. Escutcheons were often shaped, fretworked or engraved and could be personalised with names, initials, monograms or crests.

Front view of the closed ebony jewellery box by Alphonse Giroux & Cie, showing the central escutcheon.
French Antique Jewellery Box in Ebony with Brass Inlay by Alphonse Giroux & Cie, Paris. VIEW THIS BOX →
Central brass escutcheon, fretworked and engraved with a foliate and scrollwork design, from a French antique jewellery box in ebony by Alphonse Giroux & Cie, Paris.
Central brass escutcheon, fretworked and engraved with a foliate and scrollwork design, from a French antique jewellery box in ebony by Alphonse Giroux & Cie, Paris.
French Mahogany Antique Jewellery Box with Brass Inlay.
French Mahogany Antique Jewellery Box with Brass Inlay. VIEW THIS BOX →
Decorative brass escutcheon from a French mahogany jewellery box.
Decorative brass escutcheon from a French mahogany jewellery box.
Mahogany Antique Box with Brass Edging.
Mahogany Antique Box with Brass Edging. VIEW THIS BOX →
Brass escutcheon belonging to Lady Shelley
Brass escutcheon bearing the engraved name ‘Lady Shelley’ from a mahogany antique jewellery box.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Cantilever Mechanism.
Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Cantilever Mechanism. VIEW THIS BOX →

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