Lot 15: A French mid-19th century silvered bronze, ebony and cut brass casket or reliquary - by Victor Paillard (French, 1805 - 1886)

by Victor Paillard (French, 1805 - 1886) of sarcophagus form, the sliding cover enclosing a plush-lined interior and topped by a kneeling angel with feathered wings, and bearing in its arms a small circular (now vacant) frame with gilt metal leaf-cast surround, the kneeling figure above concave friezes mounted to each corner with an angel's mask between wings, the box formed from ebony panels inlaid with scrolling foliate and floral cut brass, the long sides spaced by fluted pilasters with foliate capitals, raised on a plinth base with geometric brass inlay, the vacant frame stamped with the initials VP beneath a crown, 27cm wide, 18cm deep, 36cm high (10.5in wide, 7in deep, 14in high).