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  #6822                         

Walnut Thimble Case - This wonderful and quite rare figural thimble case is made from a real walnut shell.   The shell is trimmed in gilt and lined in pale blue silk.   Most of the time when we see one of these wonderful walnut shell cases they are made into miniature etuis.   It is quite unusual to see one like this, made into a thimble case.  The gilt thimble inside is lovely as well.      

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Both the walnut shell and the thimble are in very good condition.  There are no cracks in the shell and the hinge is strong.   The thimble has no holes and no dents.   And while it is doubtful that the thimble is original to the thimble case, they look beautiful together.  This is a rare and very special thimble case.                                                                                                                      $425.00

                                                                       #6821                                                                                  

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Boulle Sewing Box  - This exquisite sewing box is made with an elaborate pattern of brass inlaid over shell.   This type of work is named after Andre Charles Boulle, who was the favored furniture maker for Louis XIV.  Usually, Boulle work is done over tortoise shell, but in this case it is worked over what appears to be mother of pearl or perhaps something very similar to mother of pearl.   The box measures 10 1/2" x 4 1/4" x 3" high and it features an absolutely beautiful shape.   The brass patterns are lovely, even the hinges are beautifully engraved.    Fitted into the satin lined lid of the box are the following tools:  mother of pearl handled tweezers, perfume corkscrew, file, button hook and steel scissors, as well as a key for the box.  

There is no question that this lovely box has been treasured as there are not one but two different hand made protective fabric covers for the box as shown in the middle picture.   One cover is made of chamois and the second cover is made of  a velvet brocade.   Both covers show a bit of wear as would be expected.    On one end of the box, there are two small  pieces of mother of pearl missing and there are a few small cracks in the mother of pearl, mostly on the top of the box.   But overall, the box is in good condition.                                                                                                                                                                      $635.00               

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#6851

Figural Thim- ble Holder -  This is a very clever adapta- tion of a lovely piece of carved mother of pearl. The spear carrying warrior is 3" high and 2" wide at the base.  While the warrior is relatively old, he has been attached to the base with a curved metal thimble holder added fairly recently.  The thimble is a nice silver one with some age in good condition.   While the adaptation is modern, this is still a charming and quite unusual figural thimble holder.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          $285.00

                                                                       #6647                                                                                  

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Boulle Tantalus  - This is the more usual form of boulle work in that it is ornate brass inlaid on tortoiseshell.    As mentioned above,  boulle work was named for Andre Charles Boulle who brought this elegant look into favor in the court of Louis XIV at the end of the 17th century.  This particular tantalus or liquer cabinet is circa 1830 and was most probably purchased from M. Vernis  in Nice, France.  The top and the front of this lovely cabinet are tortoise shell while the sides and the back are a dark wood.  

There are four Baccarat hand blown and cut crystal decanters as well as sixteen matching crystal glasses.  One of the glasses is a replacement, but a very good one.  It is exactly the same size and shape as the original glasses.   The only difference is that it is clear instead of gilded.  It is shown in the third picture above, but placed in the back bottom of the cabinet it is virtually unnoticeable.   There are also four silver labels for the decanters which read:  " Rhum, Cognac, Eau De Cerise," and my personal favorite, "Liqueur Pour Dames". 

The condition of the set is very good.   There are two very small chips in the tortoise shell as well as a few tiny cracks and one small area where the brass is lifting just a bit.   It retains its key and the lock works but it is quite stiff, so I prefer not to lock it.   The cabinet measures 13 1/2" x 10" x 11" high closed and  17 1/2" high opened.  This amazing tantalus is not only beautiful but very dramatic.   This is a rare and very special piece.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             $2650.00