Designer: Unknown

Item: J. Capo Esmaltes Enamel Lidded Box

Manufactured by: J. Capo Esmaltes

Country of origin: Spain

Year made: 1960s

Materials: Enamel on Copper lid with Walnut wood box

Dimensions:  2 ¾” x 6 ½” x 4 ½”

Condition: Very Good

Description: Here is a very nice J.  Capo Esmaltes enamel lidded box with two enamel discs inlaid into the long sides of the wood box.  This box has a wood handle mounted to the enamel lid.  This example lost its original paper label but there is a shadow on the underside of the box, but the label size would have been a Capo Esmaltes label. 

We have handled a number of these boxes over the years and some had labels that read “Esmaltes J. Amoros” instead of “Capo Esmaltes”, while some only had the name J. Capo inscribed to the underside of the lids.  They were all constructed similarly using the same type of wood and the enamel was clearly by the same hand or firm.  We have been unable to find any information about the firm(s) or actual designer of these wares, despite their prevalence in the marketplace.  However, there is some information to suggest that these were produced on the Spanish island Mallorca, known for its enamel jewelry.  This firm(s) also produced mirrors, chargers and some other wares of wood with inlaid enamel decorations of this type.