Two late Louis XVI carved walnut propaganda boxes one circa 1791, the other circa 1791-94

both of truncated conical shape, one carved with an overall diaper pattern filled with rosettes enclosing a plaque carved with the inscription La liberté ou la mort on the side and war trophies on the lid, the other carved with a medallion with interlaced Ls under a Phrygian cap and the inscription Notre bon roi acceptela constituion et il jure de la maintenir notre bonheur est certain on the side and a sunburst centered by a fleur de lis on the lid.

Both with abrasions, small dents, rubbing and small losses to carving; not extyensive. One carved with Ls is with plugged hole. Both with traces of paint. In good condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
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The inscription celebrating Louis XVI's acceptance of the French Constitution appearing on one of the boxes helps to date this lot with certainty. On September 3, 1791, less than three months after attempting to flee France, the King reluctantly accepted the new constitution turning both France into a constitutional monarchy and Louis XVI into King of the French. Since Louis XVI only ruled as King of the French until September 21, 1792 it is safe to assume that this lot dates from between September 3, 1791 and September 21, 1792. The inscription on the lid reading A mon ami Bailly maire de Paris refers to Jean-Sylvain Bailly (1736-1793), the mayor of Paris at the time. He, after the Champs de Mars Massacre on July 17, 1791 became increasingly unpopular with the Parisian public and eventually retired from his post on November 12, 1791. Consequently, one box in this lot can be dated from between September 3 and November 12, 1791. The inscription on the other box probably derives from the revolution's famous motto Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité, which had many variations, one of which was Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité ou la Mort. After the revolution death was dropped from the slogan as it was considered to be too stong of an allusion to the Reign of Terror betweeen September 1793 and July 1794.