Original French porcelain trinket/pill box from the renowned Atelier Le Tallec studio in Paris.
Made in 1963 (TT) and is hand-decorated.
This luxury piece showcases the unparalleled craftsmanship that made the studio a favorite collaborator for elite houses like Tiffany & Co.
The exterior features a rare decor of an elegant, moody silvered scrolled foliate pattern on a charcoal-grey ground, perfectly contrasted by a crisp white central cartouche bearing a gilded starburst motif.
Seeing a deep charcoal-black ground paired exclusively with silvered foliate scrollwork is rare for several reasons:
- Departure from Tradition: This specific dark, monochromatic palette leans away from standard rococo styles and heavily toward a sleek, mid-century Neo-Classical Revival or Hollywood Regency aesthetic.
- The Silver Application Technique: Applying real silver decoration over an entirely black porcelain glaze requires a delicate firing balance, making it a much more technically demanding pattern for a studio artist to paint by hand compared to standard gold gilding.
The lid is securely framed by a beautifully detailed, ornate gilt-bronze (ormolu) hinged mount with a floral clasp that closes firmly.
At roughly 11 cm wide, it is a substantial and highly functional size for a dressing table or display cabinet.
The underside features a complete set of highly collectible, hand-painted hallmarks confirming its provenance:
- Studio Inscription: Hand-signed in traditional iron-red script: "gravé et doré entièrement à la main par Le Tallec à Paris France" (Engraved and gilded entirely by hand by Le Tallec in Paris, France).
- Date & Painter Code: Features the classic blue Sèvres-style LT cross-mark with "TT" in between, historically dating the piece to 1963, alongside the hand-painted initials "J(?)N" identifying the specific master decorator.
- Studio Hallmark: Features the signature central gold foliate mark over the glaze.
Approx size: 11 cm long, 8 cm wide and 5 cm tall
Condition
- Porcelain: Free of chips, cracks, crazing, or repairs.
- Gilding/Paint: The hand-painted silver scrolls and gold accents remain remarkably vibrant with only minor, expected vintage shelf-wear to the base edge.
- Hardware: The gilt-bronze hinge is sturdy and functions perfectly, snapping securely shut.
Photos are part of the description