A gold damascene and etched steel coffre-fort French, circa 1836-1851

decorated with acanthus arabesque, the top centered by the arms of Le Hon and Mosselman, opening to a red velvet lined interior, the two combination locks flanking a hasp decorated with a count coronet

Formerly Comte Charles Aimé Joseph Le Hon (1792-1868) and Comtesse Françoise Zoé Mathilde Mosselman (1808-1880), known as Fanny Mosselman

Henri Jougla de Morenas et Raoul de Warren, Grand armorial de France, Paris, 1934-1952, 7 vol., t. 5

Overall in good condition. Steel decoration with some rubbing and spots of reddish brown discoloration/rust- some spots to the top and along the sides of the mounts. Gold decoration in very good condition with only a few minor losses to decoration from rubbing to edges. Velvet lining to interior in good condition. One hinge is damaged and need restoration.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Charles Le Hon, a Belgian politician, lawyer and industrialist, served as Ambassador to France and deputy to the Belgian Chamber of Representatives. He was created Count in 1836 and a Minister of State in 1856. Fanny Mosselman, a Belgian noblewoman, married Le Hon in 1827 and they had three children Eugène (1828-1860), Louis Xavier Léopold (1832-1879) and Louise (1838-1931). They occupied her father's hotel particuliere in the Chaussée d'Antin, Paris from 1831 and the Hôtel Le Hon, rond-point de Champs-Elysée from 1843. Fanny was very socially prominent, her glittering Paris salon attended by famous politicians and members of the Royal Family. Her lovers included the duc d'Orléans and most famously the duc de Morny, illegitimate son of Queen Hortense and therefore half-brother of Emperor Napoleon III. Honoré de Balzac described her as "Iris in light blue, the golden haired Ambassadress".

This splendid coffre-fort or strong box conceived in the neo renaissance style of the late 1830s is decorated with the arms of Le Hon and Mosselman below a Count's coronet. As Le Hon was created a Count in 1836 its manufacture must post date this. It is also likely to have been manufactured in Paris where the Le Hon lived.

Interestingly in 1851 their son Eugène married his cousin on his mother's side, Charlotte Mosselman (1837-1912). Their son René was born in 1858. It is therefore also possible that this box was commissioned by Eugene's parents as a wedding gift in 1851. As his wife was also a Mosselman, the arms would have been equally appropriate for them as for their parents.