A bonbonnière (also spelled bonbonniere, or spelled as "bonbonnieres" in plural) is a small decorative box or container, which have traditionally been used since the 16th century in Europe, particularly in France and Italy, as a way to store and present small candy or chocolates, also known as bonbons. The word "bonbonnière" comes from the French word "bonbon," meaning "sweet."

They were made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, glass, and precious metals such as gold and silver.

During the 18th century, bonbonnières became increasingly popular and ornate, and were often decorated with intricate designs and embellishments. They were also seen as a symbol of wealth and status and given as gifts to mark special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, or other important events.

In the 19th century, the art of creating bonbonnières reached its peak. The French Empire and Louis XVI styles were the most popular ones, with more...

17 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

18th century enamelled bonbonniere, rare Bilston enamelled, of…

Bilston Enamelled Swallow Bonbonniere

18th century enamelled bonbonniere, rare Bilston enamelled, of a swallow

Two antique enamel bonbonnieres or patch boxes, 18th to 19th…

Antique Enamel Bonbonnieres and Patch Box Pair

Two antique enamel bonbonnieres or patch boxes, 18th to 19th century, a Bilston type bonbonniere of moulded oval form with a scene to the lid and floral cartouches upon a powder blue ground enriched with raised white enamel, a mirrored lid to the interior…

A Regency pique and tortoiseshell bonbonniere, the top inlaid…

Regency Pique and Tortoiseshell Bonbonniere with Hand Painted Portrait

A Regency pique and tortoiseshell bonbonniere, the top inlaid with silver pique decoration surrounded a hand painted portrait on ivory of a young girl, with patterned gilt metal rims. 7.5 x 6 cm.

A late 18th century French gold mounted tortoiseshell and…

French Gold and Tortoiseshell Bonbonniere with Ivory Painting

A late 18th century French gold mounted tortoiseshell and lacquer bonbonniere, the top inlaid with yellow and rose gold surrounding a painting on ivory of a woman seated at the lake shore holding a shield with the word L'amitie (friendship), under glass,…

A 19th century mother of pearl and gilt bonbonniere, the top…

Venetian Scene Bonbonniere with Gilt Metal and Mother of Pearl

A 19th century mother of pearl and gilt bonbonniere, the top engraved with a Venetian scene, gilt metal rim and sides, mother of pearl base. 8 x 6 x 2 cm.

An Edwardian boat shaped bonbonniere with dolphin handles to…

Edwardian Dolphin Handled Bonbonniere by Williams Ltd

An Edwardian boat shaped bonbonniere with dolphin handles to each end and raised on four feet, Birmingham 1906 by Williams Ltd. 152gm.

A German gold and enamel bonbonniere, maker's mark 'Fj', Hanau,…

18th Century German Enamel Bonbonniere with French Import Marks

A German gold and enamel bonbonniere, maker's mark 'Fj', Hanau, late 18th century, French import marks 1864-1893, the independent cover with center green enamel rosette surrounded by opalescent beading, concentric circles and pellets and further green…

Early French enamel Bonbonniere. Floral decoration on white…

18th Century French Enamel Floral Bonbonniere

Early French enamel Bonbonniere. Floral decoration on white ground. Ovoid shaped. Possibly 18th century. Height 6 cm

Louis XVI vari-coloured gold bonbonniere, Paris 1781-1782,…

Louis XVI Gold Bonbonniere with Scattered Beads, Paris 1781-1782

Louis XVI vari-coloured gold bonbonniere, Paris 1781-1782, maker's mark probably of Rene Pelissier, the charge and discharge of Henry Clavel, circular gold box with detachable lid, engine turned with concentric reeding and scattered beads, the cover and…

Louis XV enamel and vari-coloured gold bonbonniere with inset…

Louis XV Enamel and Gold Bonbonniere with Miniature Plaque

Louis XV enamel and vari-coloured gold bonbonniere with inset miniature, marks possibly LJP Paris, 1776-1777, circular, the cover inset with a swiss enamel plaque depicting aeneas departing from dido, the base chased with a flower spray on engine turned…

A German circular enamelled gold bonbonniere, marked Fj., Hanau,…

18th Century German Enamelled Gold Bonbonniere

A German circular enamelled gold bonbonniere, marked Fj., Hanau, late 18th century, the circular box with detachable lid, engine turned with concentric reeding and pellets, the lid and base centred with an applied swirling green enamel rosette, borders of…

Louis XVI gold and translucent blue enamel bonbonniere, marks…

Louis XVI Blue Enamel Gold Bonbonniere

Louis XVI gold and translucent blue enamel bonbonniere, marks of Rene-Jean Lemoyne, Paris 1780-81, with the charge and discharge of Henry Clavel, the circular box with top, sides and base in transucent blue enamel to guiloche ground, within borders…

Louis XVI two-colour gold bonbonniere, illegible maker's mark,…

Louis XVI Gold Bonbonniere with Floral Medallions, Paris 1779-1780

Louis XVI two-colour gold bonbonniere, illegible maker's mark, Paris 1779 - 1780 with the charge and discharge of Jean-Baptiste Fouache, circular, the surface with engine turning, the cover and base centred with floral medallions within multiple…

Louis XVI gold vari-coloured bonbonniere, Alexis Proffit, Paris…

Louis XVI Gold Bonbonniere with Two-Color Flower Design

Louis XVI gold vari-coloured bonbonniere, Alexis Proffit, Paris marks for 1874-1788, charge and discharge mark of Henry Clavel, Paris, 1784, circular, the surface with all-over engine turning with a concentric reeded design with flowerheads, the cover and…

An enamelled two colour gold bonbonniere, maker's mark of Les…

Enamelled Gold Bonbonniere with Dendritic Motifs

An enamelled two colour gold bonbonniere, maker's mark of Les Freres Toussaint, Hanau, circa 1780, of circular form, the lid and base with dendritic motifs to pale-apricot guilloche panels within a fine border of white enamel pellets and a further border…

Louis XVI vari-coloured gold bonbonniere, Paris 1781-1782,…

Louis XVI Gold Bonbonniere with Foliate Borders

Louis XVI vari-coloured gold bonbonniere, Paris 1781-1782, maker's mark probably of Rene Pelissier, the charge and discharge of Henry Clavel, circular gold box with detachable lid, engine turned with concentric reeding and scattered beads, the cover and…

Hallmarked sterling silver bonbonniere in the form of a table,…

Sheffield 1910 Sterling Silver Table Bonbonniere by John Round

Hallmarked sterling silver bonbonniere in the form of a table, marked for Sheffield 1910, maker John Round