eBay

sarahd53 · ‎08-25-2017

I picked this up today. I did a quick search and saw that a lot of their humidors and cigar boxes sold for a lot of money. This is definitely not a cigar box as it is too small, but maybe for cigarettes? I checked their website and couldn't find any small ones like this. It measures about 4 1/4" and about 2 3/8" tall. Anyone know what this box was made for, or can you find one comparable? Thanks for the help.

maxine*j · ‎08-25-2017

I know nothing about these, so educate me: How do you know it is an Elie Bleu box? How and where are the boxes marked? Can you post a photo of the mark on this one?

I know my eyes are old but I'm just not seeing construction or materials here that would justify the enormous prices these things evidently fetch.

If there's nothing like it on their website, and you find nothing like it in Google searches, including image searches, then maybe it isn't Elie Bleu...?

Not being negative. I'm genuinely interested.

sarahd53 · ‎08-25-2017

I only know what it is marked. This came from a massive estate, and they had a lot of quality pieces. I think this would have had a big price tag, but the button that is marked Elie Bleu is hidden under the lid. The bottom is marked with made in France. When I saw it I could tell it was a quality made piece which is why I decided to look it up on the spot (which I rarely do). It is laquered and made of inlaid wood. The pictures don't make it look very good as the lighting condition wasn't great when I took them, but it is definitely a quality box. To be honest though, I don't get it either. When you look at their website they aren't so well made that you think, "I need to have that beautiful wood box so bad that I can justify dropping $2000+ dollars". I assumed it was something about the name. Kind of like how Chanel could make a metal bracelet with glass rhinestones and sell it for the price a unmarked piece made of diamonds and gold would sell for.

I didn't completely search the website, but they offered a variety of different items ie. cufflink boxes, jewelry boxes, cigar boxes. I am not sure if at one point they offered boxes for children, or maybe like I mentioned, cigarette boxes. I didn't pay a lot so if it turns out to be a dud I am ok with it.

The button the bottom says Elie Bleu Tabletier which means Toy maker?

sarahd53 · ‎08-25-2017

Another thing to mention is that they made a lot of limited edition items so this may also explain why I can't find one like it. The handle for the box looks like mother of pearl or maybe bone.

maxine*j · ‎08-25-2017

Ah, it's on the little button. Thanks for the close-up. Yes, sometimes it is hard to capture special qualites in a photo.

As for the cost, I just see aspirational pricing. The point of paying two grand for a trinket box is so that your friends know you can pay two grand for a trinket box. New money.

I think "table" means the same in French and English and, more broadly, board or plank. Anyhow, the general idea of working with wood, I think.

Anyhow, thanks for the education and I'll try not to pass up the next one I run across, as I might well have before.

sarahd53 · ‎08-31-2017

Just in case someone runs across a box like this in the future, I figured I would update.

I sent Elie Bleu a message, and they told me they crafted this box in the 80's and 90's to be a trinket box. I couldn't find any like it, but they confirmed it was theirs.