Description Cast Iron French Safe or Strong Box From our Boxes collection, we are pleased to offer this French Safe Cast Iron Strong Box by Bauche. The Safe of rectangular form made from cast iron with extensive riveting and twin loop handles. The safe has two escutcheon covers to the front, the left is the genuine lock which turns to reveal the keyhole and the right is a dummy for symmetry. The top of the box is fitted with a plaque that reads in French Incombustible Systeme Bauche Brevete S.G.D.G usine A Gueux Marne (Incombustible System Bauche Patented S.G.D.G factory A Gueux Marne). The interior of the safe has been lined in a gunmetal grey cushioned velvet to give cushioning to your most treasured objects. Has Key and fully working lock. The French Safe dates to the second half of the 19th century during the reign of Napoleon III circa 1865. Henry Bauche Bauche Safes was founded in 1864 by Henri Bauche and became renowned for its advanced fireproof safe construction, using seamless iron chambers filled with refractory material. Known for exceptional strength and reliability, Bauche’s designs set new standards for fire protection in the nineteenth century. The company later merged with Fichet, combining two leading traditions in secure lock engineering and fire resistant technology. Today Bauche safes are prized for their robust build and historic significance in the evolution of security design. Napoleon III The Napoleon III period refers to the years 1852 to 1870, when Louis Napoleon Bonaparte ruled France as Emperor of the French. Following his election as the first President of the Second Republic in 1848, he seized power in 1851 and soon proclaimed the Second Empire. His reign was marked by major modernisation: Baron Haussmann’s grand reconstruction of Paris, expansion of the railway network, banking reform, industrial growth, and the promotion of new agriculture and international trade. Napoleon III also expanded France’s colonial presence and pursued an ambitious foreign policy, including the Crimean War and support for Italian unification. The era is known for its prosperity, urban transformation, and cultural refinement, but it ended abruptly with France’s defeat in the Franco Prussian War and Napoleon III’s deposition in 1870. Why Buy from Mark Goodger Antiques? With over thirty five years of specialist experience, Mark Goodger Antiques is recognised internationally as a leading authority in antique boxes and related works of art. Every item offered has been personally selected by Mark, whose knowledge and judgement are trusted by collectors, institutions, museums, interior designers, and fellow dealers worldwide. Every purchase is supplied with a full supporting package for clarity and reassurance. This includes a Certificate of Authenticity, a detailed condition and care guide specific to your item, our most recent catalogue, and a separate invoice suitable for insurance and valuation purposes. Each piece is carefully examined prior to sale to ensure accuracy of description and quality. Your purchase is fully insured during transit and protected by our straightforward money back guarantee, allowing you to buy with complete confidence. We pride ourselves on transparency, expertise, and long term relationships with our clients, many of whom return to us repeatedly over decades. When you buy from Mark Goodger Antiques, you are purchasing from a specialist family business built on knowledge, trust, and an unrivalled focus on antique boxes.
