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Apprx 2.5" diameter and 3/4" high. Lovely miniature box, Belgian souvenir that I purchased while in Brussels Belgium a few years ago.
Circa 1890s-1900s, Victorian, Edwardian era, lovely design on the top of the Hotel de Ville in Bruxelles (Brussels). I was there in person and words cannot describe what an amazing site this is to behold.
Excellent condition, wonderful European piece.
A little about this building:When entering the Market Place from one of the seven side-streets, one's eyes are drawn automatically to the gothic tower of the town hall pointing skywards.
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Up to this day the "Hotel de Ville", or "Stadhuis" is considered to rank among the most beautiful city halls in the Low Countries.
The construction of the building represents the growing power of Brussels as the capital of the Dukedom of Brabant. Until the end of the 14th century some small wooden houses and inns used to stand on the site where later the town hall would be build. Because of the growing importance of the city, the administrators decided to buy these old houses one by one, demolish them and build a new town hall that would match the city's need for a large administrative center. The first stone was laid in the spring of 1402. This original town hall (which is now the left wing) was completed in 1405, together with a small tower. The architect is believed to be JACOB VAN THIENEN. However, on March the 3rd 1444, the original building was extended with a smaller right wing, which was ready in 1449. In that same year the architect JAN VAN RUYSBROECK built the tower that still crowns the building today. This extension of the town hall was a result of the rivalry between Brussels and the neighboring city of Leuven. Leuven also aspired to the title of 'capital of the Dukedom of Brabant' and had therefore constructed a massive and extremely prestigious town hall (which still is the most beautiful one in Belgium and worth a trip).
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