Designed as a rectangular-shaped table box, the exterior composed of black and white jasper, embellished with gold-coloured metal detail cleverly highlighting natural annular inclusions within the stone fabric to create the stylised outline of an owl's face, the lid to yellow gold hinges, opening to reveal a pale pink quartz base panel, the reverse of which is applied with a small gold plaque signed Chaumet, 1970s.

Chaumet in this period were so wildly imaginative, I have a real soft spot for the jewels and objets from the 1970s. Their textured gold offerings in 'or sauvage' - often embellishing a sculptural element in semi-precious or hardstone - have a Surrealist attitude to imagination...the designs are artistic, bold, and dreamlike... Their work in carved stone seen in their jewels was the virtuoso work of Robert Lemoine...but the author of this wonderful and unique output is the gift of designer René Morin's boundless imagination.

This hugely talented jewellery designer joined the house in 1962. His formation was originally in sculpture and traces of this were ever-present in his work...perhaps best exemplified by the incredible Baccarat crystal 'Bestiaire fabuleux' collection.

The jewels created in the design studio from René Morin's arrival broke Chaumet out of its mould and embraced a new playful line of expression that was brave and unusual for the great houses of Place Vendome. This whimsical divergence from tradition was of course not the only voice Chaumet had, as it also explored its more intrinsically precious offerings (lest we forget Pierre Sterlé's influence at the house during this period), and the freedom for this line of adventurous work was largely enabled by the opening of their Arcade boutique in 1970. Here the prices were advertised and the mood more fhashion-inclined...the perfect atmosphere for experimentation.