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Mid-19th Century Palais Royale French Mother-of-Pearl & Ormolu Sewing Etui

About the Item

Mid-19th Century Palais Royale French Mother-Of-Pearl & Ormolu Sewing Etui in a Display Case Extraordinary French Antique Palais Royal Sewing Necessaire in Gilt Metal & Rich Iridescent Mother of Pearl Shell Housed under a Dome Cica. 1860-1875 This is a lovely rare quality piece and a beautiful 19th-century French mother of pearl egg-shaped sewing etui/necessaire mounted in a fine gilt bronze ormolu frame, set on a flower-shaped ornate gilt metal fluted pedestal foot on an alabaster base—further hoisted on a wooden plinth and protected by an outer dome display case. (This is rare to find.) This exquisite Palais Royale sewing necessaire is a wonderful collector's piece and a rare find with its outer display case. The skill of sewing with a needle and thread was required in the centuries before the sewing machine was invented. Wealthy women of the 19th century had tools, scissors, bobbins, tape measures, thimbles, and other accessories that were made of gold or silver and stored in fancy cases. A Palais Royale piece, the necessaire comes with a spring push mechanism surmounted by a flying bird finial. The mechanism pops open the egg to reveal an engraved gilt metal disc with a thimble, scissors, awl, and needle. It is incredibly rare to find this mother of pearl egg-shaped necessaire in this condition with its sewing utensils. It measures 16 cm high and 6 1/2 cm wide. ------------------------------ Condition Report: Very good with light surface wear from age and use. The enamel and lustre of the mother of pearl are intact, with no signs of major deterioration. The sewing implements all seem to be original. It comes with the gilt thimble, gilt needle, gilt awl, and gilt bodkin case top only (part of the case is missing). H: 16 cm W: 6 1/2 cm ------------------------------ ------------------------------ Provenance: From a private collection. ------------------------------
  • Metal:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 6.3 in (160 mm)Width: 2.56 in (65 mm)
  • Style:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1860
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Light surface wear from age and use. The enamel and lustre of the mother of pearl are intact. The sewing implements all seem to be original. It comes with a gilt thimble, gilt needle, gilt awl and gilt bodkin case (part of the case missing).
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2800216809852
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