ANTIQUE C.F. MONROE KELVA ART GLASS DRESSER BOX WITH 1943 PROVENANCE NOTE
Elegant Olive Green Mottled Finish - Swirled Melon Mold - Hand-Painted White Blossoms
ITEM SPECIFICS:
Brand / Manufacturer: C.F. Monroe Company (Meriden, Connecticut)
Product Line: Kelva
Type: Dresser Box / Trinket Jar / Powder Box
Material: Blown-Molded Opaque Art Glass and Brass Hardware
Era / Age: Victorian / Edwardian (Circa 1900-1904)
Features: Hand-Painted, Raised Enamel Accents, Swirled Mold, Hinged Lid, Clean Interior, Unmarked Base (As Manufactured)
Inclusions: Includes Original 1943 Handwritten Purchase Note
Country of Origin: United States
PRODUCT OVERVIEW:
Up for auction or sale is a beautiful, highly collectible antique Kelva art glass dresser box, meticulously produced by the renowned C.F. Monroe Company of Meriden, Connecticut.While Monroe is famous for its classic pastel Wave Crest line, the Kelva line is significantly scarcer and highly sought after by advanced art glass collectors due to its specialized, textured mottled finish. This particular example features an elegant olive green and khaki brown mottled background wash, beautifully formed into a classic swirled melon-lobed shape.
PROVENANCE AND HISTORICAL NOTE:
This exceptional box comes with a remarkable piece of historical ephemera—an original, handwritten vintage note found tucked inside, documenting an 80+ year history of being treasured as an antique.The transcribed text roughly reads:"This is an old (antique) jewel box—I forget what kind of china—Jewell or Hazel would know. I bought it from a lovely antique shop (1943) when I went thru clinic at Richmond, VA. The man we piece is not an antique"Note: The final line appears to be a fragmented thought or typo from the original writer, likely meaning "The man said this piece is an antique". This physical note will be safely packaged and included inside the box for the winning buyer.
DESIGN DETAILS:
The Glass: Heavy, mold-blown opaque glass featuring Kelva's iconic signature marbleized/mottled background finish.
The Decoration: Exquisitely hand-painted with delicate white floral blossoms and branching stems, accented by thick, raised white enamel beaded centers that give the flowers a wonderful texture.
The Hardware: Original brass collar band featuring a clean, unpolished design and a fully functional front clasp lock.
DIMENSIONS:
Width/Diameter: (5-1/2”)
Height: (3-1/2”)
DETAILED CONDITION REPORT:
Glass Body: Excellent Antique Condition. There are absolutely no cracks, hairlines, structural chips, or repairs to the glass.
Hand-Painting: The enamel artwork remains vibrant and sharp with minimal, expected microscopic handling wear consistent with its 120+ year age.
Metalwork and Hinge: The original metal collar is firmly attached to the glass. The hinge is fully intact, firm, and operates smoothly. The lid sits flush.
Interior Condition: The interior features beautifully clean, glossy, bare white opalescent glass. There is no old fabric deterioration, dust, or heavy glue residue present. This makes the box perfectly clean, odorless, and entirely ready to safely store jewelry or vanity items.
The Markings: The base is physically unmarked, which is a standard factory variation for C.F. Monroe art glass lines. Many Kelva pieces were originally distributed with paper labels that did not survive the decades. Authentic attribution is fully guaranteed by the signature mottled olive-green finish, swirled melon-lobed shape, and raised enamel floral beadwork.Please study all photographs carefully, as they serve as part of the description.