#6817                                                                                  

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Palais Royal Necessaire  - Measuring 7 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" high, this box is exceptionally pretty.  It has a beautiful shape and some lovely brass ornamentation.   In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the finest needlework tools in the world were being made in Paris in the palais royal district.   Louis Phillipe turned a section of the royal palace into a shopping arcade where only the finest artisans were allowed to set up shop.   This lovely necessaire was made there.  

The fitted velvet tray holds the following:  mother of pearl handled scissors, needlecase with an enameled pansy that is the signature of the palais royal, thimble, stiletto and two silk winders as well as a delicate cut crystal scent bottle and an embroidered and spangled pincushion.   The set is missing its bodkin.  The mirror retains its original chenille edging and the bottom of the box is lined in silk.        

The box has three small chips in the veneer (on the ends) but is otherwise in very good condition.   The thimble is missing its enamelled pansy but is also in very good condition.   One of the silkwinders has had one lobe reattached (see top winder, top lobe in the third picture) and the winders are not original to the box.  They are just a tiny bit too large.   The needlecase fits a bit loosely but that is pretty minor.   Overall, the set is in good condition.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           $2295.00               

                                                                       #6590                                                                                  

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Straw Work Box - This unusual little sewing box is made of straw work and is possibly French prisoner of war work.   During the Napoleanic wars French prisoners were required to earn their keep by making items to be sold to the English population.   Straw work was a popular technique used at the time by the prisoners.     

The box measures 6" x 4" x 2" high and it features a town scene on both the top and the bottom of the box.   The inside lid of the box has a small mirror and a star pattern on the inner lid.  The box is figural in that it is made in the shape of a book.

Sadly, the condition of the box is only fair.  The third picture shows that the straw has worn away on the spine of the "book", showing the paper below the straw.  In addition, both the top and the bottom of the box are a bit warped.  Because of the warping, the bottom of the box has become separated just along the front.   Only one of the three bone edges for the thread holes is still present on the front of the box.                                                                                                                                                                           $325.00           

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  #6444                         

Spectacles Case - Made of paper mache' with gold embossing, this charming spectacles case is circa 1880.  It opens from the back of the case on one end.   Paper mache' was enormously popular with the Victorians.  It was considered to be England's answer to Japanese lacquer ware.        

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Other than a bit of wear to the lining, the case is in very good condition.   It opens nicely and closes tightly.                                                                                                                             $185.00

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#6398

Glass Pin Disc -  This beautiful reverse painted glass pin disc features a stun- ning view of a church labelled "St. John's  Lowestoft".    19th Century reverse painting on glass required a very time consuming process of painting one color at a time and allowing it to dry before moving on to the next color.   It also required that the artist paint everything backwards, so these little beauties were quite difficult to produce and of course they are highly prized today.                                                                                                                                      $265.00

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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