souvenir noun \sü-və-nir\ : something that serves as a reminder.
from the French, (se) souvenir to remember.

Lovingly collected from the markets of France, we are thrilled to share with you this exquisite Antique French Souvenir Jewelry Box. This magical box is wondrously special for sure; unique with its own journeyed story - serving as a lasting memory from a special place. Whether it evokes a certain memory or inspire your travels, we are confident this piece will delight in its final journey -  to you.

Found at market outside of Paris, we are so pleased to present this storied Souvenir Jewelry Box memorializing the "Maid of Orléans" and national hero of France, Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc). Lovingly made with thick, beveled glass in a unique, elongated hexagonal shape, its gilt metal frame is embellished with decorative flourishes. The interior of the box is lined in a gently faded coral silk fabric intended to safely hold the most precious, favored pieces of jewelry.

The glass lid of the box is adorned with a beautifully hand-colored image of the famed Joan of Arc statue found in Orléans. The imposing equestrian statue is a bronze monument made by Denis Foyatier in 1855. Depicting Joan as fearless warrior, the statue is located on the Place du Martroi in Orléans' city center. 

Exquisite and oh-so rare, this lovely find will share the inspiration of the brave Maid of Orléans and lovingly hold your most treasured jewelry in timeless French fashion.

Strictly one-of-a-kind and subject to prior sale. Circa 1900. In good antique condition with only gentle signs of age. 2.25"H x 4.5" x 3".

Learn More About Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc is arguably one of the most fascinating figures of France's History. Born in 1412, the young girl's life and fate were in a word, legendary: this young, pious and joyful shepherdess was keeping her sheep when, suddenly, voices ordered her to chase the English out of the Kingdom of France and to have Charles, the Crown Prince who had been ousted by the invaders, crowned king. She was only 13 and, naturally, no one took her seriously. Yet the maiden was determined and had no intention of giving up. Her tenacity was rewarded at the age of 18: she was entrusted with a few companions in arms to finally confront the enemy. 

Joan crossed the Loiret river and reached the capital of the Loire region, the city of Orléans. The city, besieged by the English, was on the verge of surrender. Galvanised by her energy and her faith, it only took the young warfaring woman 10 days to transform the besiegers into the besieged and change the course of the Hundred Years' War and French history. By liberating Orléans on May 8, 1429, she had taken control of a strategic passage over the Loire, hence bringing any English hopes of conquering the whole of France to a halt.

Despite being wounded in the shoulder by an arrow, the "Maid of Orléans" continued to march on, to head for Reims and the coronation of the future King Charles VII. A short time later, however, Joan was captured and put on trial by the English, who were determined to prove that her inspiration had come from the devil. Accounts of the trial feature prominently in her mythos, as she evaded English attempts to trick her into admitting heresy. In one such attempt, Joan was asked if she knew she was in God's grace. According to doctrine, answering "yes" would have been heresy because no one could truly know the answer, but saying "no" would be an admission of heresy. Joan replied, "'If I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me," avoiding the trap. The court eventually convicted her anyway, and she was burned at the stake in Rouen on May 30, 1431.