Rectangular box

Art Historical Context

Behold the elegant *Rectangular Box* by Parisian silversmith André Aucoc, crafted 1887 and 1911. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture Decorative Arts department, compact treasure—measuring just 2¾ × 9⅞ × 3⅝ inches—exemplifies the refined metalwork of late 19th- and early 20th-century. Forged in silver gilt, a luxurious technique where a thin layer of gold is applied over silver for a radiant, enduring sheen, the box is enriched with mother-of-pearl, whose iridescent surface adds a subtle, oceanic shimmer. These materials highlight Paris's status as a global hub for op...