Posted 13 years ago
ThriftyGypsy
(103 items)
I found this chocolate box a couple of years ago at a antique store. I usually buy any unusual boxes when I find them, and this one looked like a keeper. I am not 100% sure it held chocolate, because I did not know what language was used on it. It looked like french, but I am not sure. It is definitely old, and well made using small nails to hold it together. The latch is on the top, and locks in to the pin that fits thru the lid. This is one of my favorite boxes. If anyone has seen one of these or knows anything about it, I would greatly appreciatesome information ! Thanks for looking, Thrifty Gypsy
Note: This was a French Company!
I did a little quick research today and found that this company was founded in 1816 as a pharmaceutical company. This was at a time when chocolate was used as a medicinal product and was only one part of the overall business. It was run by the Menier family for 150 years. They exhibited at the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair where they were billed as the leading chocolate makers in the world. World War 1 began the demise of the company, and eventually merged with a company in 1960, that eventually merged with Nestle. I thought that was a pretty good story, but I really could not date my box from it. From the workmanship on it, I would still have to think that it was made around the 1900's. Has any one else ever ran across any Meneir items ? Thanks for looking, Thrifty Gypsy
Thanks for the love kerry10456 !
Thanks for the love BELLIN68 !
Thanks for the love scandinavian_pieces !
Thanks for the comment scandinavian_pieces, I cannot pass a wooden box without trying to buy it... as far as research, I don't know what we did before the internet !! You can find anything on it. Thanks for stopping by. Oh yeah, I love chocolate to, even though I don't need it. lol Thrifty Gypsy
Thanks for the love scandinavian_pieces !
Thanks for the love cwork !
Thanks for the love packrat-place !
Just dropped by to wish You and Yours a Merry Christmas and thanks for your comments on mine and sharing your treasures!!!!
Hey everyone, and especially kerry10456 - - Merry Christmas and a happy New Year - to all my freinds and fellow collectors here at collectors weekly !!!!!! Have a safe holiday !!!!!!!! Thrifty Gypsy
Merry Christmas thrifty ! to you and your family . love the wood box !
Thank you Manikin ! Merry Christmas to you and your family also. Thrifty Gypsy
wow i love my chocolate and thank you on the comment of my grandson jameer born in salem mass.
You are very welcome lundy, and I know how you are feeling; my daughter had twin sons two months ago and we have been truly blessed ! Grandchildren are really special. I know you are going to enjoy yours so much ! Happy New Year and I look forward to "working" with you in the upcoming year! Thrifty Gypsy
yes that sounds great, everyone is so nice here at collectors weekly its getting like having another family and friends ,twins o my ,congrats to all of you happy new year
Same to you lundy, you are exactly right about having another family here ! T.G.
Beginning in 1860, Emile-Justin Menier oversaw the addition of several new buildings then, after constructing a factory in London, England and a distribution center in New York City .
I had one with a musical box inside . Pretty rare. It is definitly from 1900 to 1930.
Got one grey chocolate Menier tin dispenser . You can check my Kiosks collection.
If all else fails to date the box, you could try to date the hardware. The latch is a bit odd. Similar ones are still made but shaped differently.
Thanks trunkman for the love !
You are welcome -- I love that little box -- my wife is from France and she simply adores it!!!!
Thanks officialfuel for the love !
Thanks miKKoChristmas11 for the love !