Enamel Vanities

A remarkable ladies dressing table made by the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. of London for his Highness Nawab Sir Sadiq Mohammed Khan Abbasi the V of Bahawalpur. Constructed in mahogany in the form of a kneehole desk with a modesty screen, rising from Chippendale style carved bracket feet, the banks of pedestals fitted with lockable faux drawers to the left, concealing a safe, and drawers to the right, fitted with ormolu chased swan neck handles; the lockable and hinged panelled top rising to reveal an adjustable triptych bevelled dressing mirror, with provisions for a pair of scallop shaded electrical lights, and having an enclosed body, fitted with an array of cut-glass unguent bottles, all with silver tops, Hall marked for 1929/30, enamelled with an Art Deco design, and bearing wonderfully detailed portraits of His Highness in regal dress...

A fine and rare French 19th century gilt-bronze and pietra dura vanity stand, attributed to Jean-Pierre-Alexandre Tahan (1813-1892) - Maison Tahan, Paris. The ornate slender bronze body fitted with a rectangular vanity mirror surmounted with a beaded trim and blue-celeste Cloisonné enamel corners centering a ribbon bow supported by two reeded columns, each issuing a scrolled foliate candle arm, over a flip-top gilt-bronze compartment lined with a burgundy silk and fitted with 'pietra dura' marble inlay plaques...