#6593                                                                                  

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Tortoise Shell Necessaire  - This very elegant necessaire features a beautiful tortoise shell case with a blank silver plate on the top.   The fitted velvet tray holds  mother of pearl penknife and stiletto, a wonderful pair of steel scissors and two silver thimbles.  The thimble with the carnelian dome and the shield on the side is a replacement piece.   That spot would probably have held a finger guard instead of a second thimble.  But, as it is such a lovely thimble, it looks quite nice in the box.                  

The condition of the necessaire is very good.  The buttom closure works well and there are no chips to the tortoise shell.  All of the tools are in very good condition as well.                                                                                                                                                                                                   $925.00           

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#6379

Tartanware Reel Holder - This is an ex- tremely rare piece of tartan- ware.  I have never seen this particular tartan on any other piece, even in books.   Sadly, the clan name is not on the piece, so I can't say what clan it is.  The slotted opening on the side of the case is for the end of the thread to be pulled through.  As the pictures show, there are some chips and age wear to the tartan.                                                 $185.00

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  #6614                         

Scent Bottle Chatelaine - This beautiful Victorian chatelaine is silver plated brass, which gives it a lovely and delicate two-toned look.   The bottle is facetted so that adds to the appeal of the piece as well.   It is circa 1880.  It measures 7 1/4" from the top of the buckle to the bottom of the bottle.     

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The only problem to the condition of the chatelaine is that the inside stopper is missing.   There are no chips or cracks in the bottle and the metal is intact and in good condition.                                                                                                                  $525.00

                                                                       #6623                                                                                  

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Clamp-on Sewing Box  - Made from truly beautiful burled wood veneers, this sewing box is quite lovely.  It features its original pincushion on the top and black wood trim.   The box itself measures 5" x 3 3/4" and has a clamp on the bottom so that it can be attached to a table top.   The inside drawer is dovetailed.    This won- derful sewing box is circa 1840 - 1860.                 

It appears that the black trim on one side of the box has been repaired, but it is a pretty good repair as it is not very noticable.  The screw on clamp works well and the sewing box is in generally very good condition.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  $425.00            

                                                                       #6694                                                                                  

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Ivory Necessaire - This elegant necessaire features all original ivory tools as well as the original steel scissors.  The set is French and is circa 1850.   The lovely burled wood box still has its key which turns in the lock, but doesn't actually lock the box.   The fitted inner tray has a built in pincushion and the storage area retains its original paper lining.   The mirror may be a replacement.  The tools include:   ivory needlecase, thimble, stiletto, toothpick, bodkin, two star shaped silkwinders and a pair of steel scissors.   

There are two hairline cracks in the thimble and the inside "pick" of the toothpick is missing.  But, the box and tools are otherwise in excellent condition.  The box measures 6 3/8" x 4 3/4" x 2 1/2" high.                                                                                                                                                                      $1285.00          

                                                                       #6677                                                                                  

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Palais Royal Piano Workbox - Describing a phenominal piece like this is almost futile.  It is an exceptionally rare and truly special workbox.  Everything about it is spectacular.  The box itself is obviously figural in the shape of a piano with keys inlaid in the wood on the top of the box.  The grain of the wood is stunning and great effort has been taken to match the grains on all sides of the piano.  It is circa 1820.

The fitted tray inside the piano is lined in purple velvet and it holds the following tools:   mother of pearl scissors with two enamel pansies (the signature of palais royal), needlecase, two reels, two stilettos (one a really wonderful figural of a clenched fist), four spectacular matched silkwinders, a silver bodkin and thimble, a pair of steel scissors and a crystal scent bottle with a silver hinged top and its original stopper, as well as a built in pincushion.   The paper lined storage area has a music movement that looks original, but as the key is missing, so I cannot wind it up to see if it is working..   

The thimble, the bodkin and the second stiletto are replacement pieces.  The second stiletto fills a spot that would probably have held a tambour hook.   The handles of the mother of pearl scissors are a bit loose, but in otherwise good condition.  The needlecase is damaged on the inside.   Most of the inner piece is missing, but the needlecase holds together very well. It is actually a nice tight fit.   The box measures 11 7/8" x 7 7/8" x 6" high.  If interested, please E-mail for more pictures.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      $4800.00           

                                                                       #6673                                                                                  

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Tunbridge Ware Tea Caddy - The elegant domed shape of this wonderful tea caddy adds to the natural beauty of this lovely box.   And of course, the inlaid patterns and grains of the wood are what is so very special about Tunbridge Ware pieces.   Made in the mid to late 19th century in Tunbridge Wells England, these types of pieces were sold to visiting travelers who came to spend their holidays in the spa towns.   The woodworkers in Tunbridge Wells were certainly artisans and this box is a fine example of their magnificent workmanship.    

The box has a few fairly minor dings and scratches to the surface (mostly on the top), but it is in good condition. The interior has two lidded compartments with the original lids.   The box measures 7 3/4" x 5" x6 1/2" high and it sits on four wooden feet.   The hinges are original and in good working order.                                                                                                                                                                   $1265.00            

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  #6678                         

Sadelli Calling Card Case - This beautiful calling card case was made in India, probably for the English market.  It is ivory inlaid with many micro-mini little pieces of sandlewood.  I cannot even imagine the amount of work which must have gone into this case.  It is truly beautiful.      

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There are a few cracks in the ivory and on the top edge of the case, there is a fair amount of the little wood pieces missing.   It sounds worse than it looks.  The case is otherwise in good condition.   It measures 3" x 4" x 1/2" thick.                                                                                         $285.00