Art Nouveau novelty vide-poche nicknamed “Devil under the Sheet”, c. 1895–1910. A mischievous figure hides beneath sculpted drapery, forming a small tray for calling cards, coins or trinkets. Cast in a copper alloy (likely brass) with a naturally aged patina; unmarked, as many workshop pieces of the period were. Characterful, decorative, and perfectly sized for a desk or hall table.
• Date & style: Belle Époque / Art Nouveau, c. 1895–1910
• Materials: copper alloy (likely brass); original patina
• Condition: good antique condition; neat historic solder repair to the left foot (stable). Minor surface marks and wear consistent with age
• Dimensions: 16 × 12 × 1 cm (approx. 6¼ × 4¾ × ⅜ in)
• Colour: warm antique brass
• Use: desk tidy / calling card tray / trinket dish
