VR Antique French Palais Royal Sewing Box and Twelve Mother of Pearl Enamel Tools

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VR Antique French Palais Royal Sewing Box and Twelve Mother of Pearl Enamel Tools

About the Item

A spectacular find! This is a remarkably unscathed c.1770-1820 French Palais Royal sewing box with working music box, both keys (music winder and box lock), a full compliment of marked Palais Royal sewing items (18k cartouches with enamel pansy - you know the one). The enamel pansy is considered a hallmark of sorts for the luxury goods from the boutiques of the old Palais Royal, though in fact its just one mark and there are other sets that were also offered in those history-laden halls. I'll give some Palais Royal history below, but for now I want to talk about this remarkable box. Yes, the music box plays and is spectacular in clarity and sound. We have a sound file we can send by email. Let's talk about the exterior of this museum quality and very rare box. Yes, that is an entire large and intricately hand carved half shell mounted on the top of the box, shimmering in high pearlescent rainbow against pearl. A courting scene has been hand carved in bas relief and it's remarkably fine. The border has been incised and 'lac' (the black ink/juice from the lac beetle) applied to give it definition and to link it to the solid ebony body of the box. A glorious constellation of silver pins, pique work, of various sizes makes up the decoration of the remainder of the box's exterior. Similar to steel pins, but these immediately polished high brilliant silver and we're quite certain they are, indeed, fine old French sterling silver pique 'dots'. A mother of pearl escutcheon and the original and working key complete the shell-form box's exterior. Now, open it and marvel at the perfection of that silk and ribbon-embroidered original silk pad. Originally there would also have been a mirror fitted into the interior lid, we think, but there is not one there now. So tuck that fitted scallop of a pad into the lid and look at the fabulous array of sewing tools exposed in the lift-out tray it protects. It would be in Neryla Taunton's elegant book, had it surfaced in time. But it's been tucked away as someone's heirloom lo these many many generations. Imagine someone 200 or more years ago, finding this as he or she stolled the promenade of the Palais Royal sometime late in Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette's reign, to perhaps as late as the apex of Napoleon's expansive French Empire. A lady's sewing companion, complete with scent bottle, a wax seal or 'sceau' or cachet, and beautiful music to keep her company. I'm going to let you explore our photos, enjoy the music. We've had some fabulous sewing boxes over time, and this one ranks as one of the very finest. Yes, we do sell museum quality items! Request a sound file if you wish to hear the music box play. Very good to excellent condition for age and type. The exterior is remarkably fine, a very slight of-set to the lid means you might press lightly front to back on lid to fit the lock hasp and close fully before you lock it up. I don't find any missing silver pique, though with hundreds of hand applied pins, there is likely to be one or two out of place. Raised on 4 round steel bun feet, all in place. Interior probably had a mirror in lid, but it is beautiful without, or you can have one cut to fit and install. I like it just as it is. Chenille piping is in place. The silk and ribbon-embroidered pad is excellent. No deteriorated silk to be found. Beneath it is the lift-out tray filled with its original implements save the replacement knife (period and Palais Royal) and the missing pearl bodkin or large ribbon needle. The one silk winder misses one round lobe. The crochet or tambour hook (front and center) does not have a steel hook, once opened, but would be simple to replace one. The end unscrews, turns over and remounts into the threaded neck and holds the steel hook, holding (originally) numerous sizes of hooks within the body of the handle. The scissors are perfect, very sharp and haven't any corrosion to speak of. The elaborate needle case is pristine, as is the round needle case (tube-shaped with finial) and thimble and letter opener, wax seal. The scent or salts bottle is original and has a silver lid rather than gold. The knife is, as mentioned, a replacement to the set. Lift the tray and a perfectly preserved and working music box is exposed. Nothing missing there, and it does work. Key comes with the box and might need just a tiny key turn to begin the music when you're ready for it. Exceptional box! Exceptional sewing tools. Exceptional history! The Palais Royal was formerly the Royal Palace of Cardinal Richelieu and was called the Palais-Cardinal. Architect Jacques Lemercier designed it in 1629 and construction was completed between 1633-39. Richelieu died in 1642, whence the palace took on the new name, the Palais-Royal (King Louis XIII). Home to the Kings of France for many years, it was the Duchess Marie Louise d'Orleans who created the ornamental gardens of the Palace, around which the court walls and apartments rose and onto which they opened up. In the early 1700s it was abandoned as the primary Royal Palace and in 1784 the restructured Palais Royal opened to the public as a center for the elite housing theater, restaurants and shops purveying luxury goods to the select clientele. The Palais-Royal remains today, approximately 1 block from the Louvre, but houses only a shop or two and the gardens have reverted to a more modest park for Parisian and tourists, alike.

Dimensions:
Width: 9 in (228.6 mm)Diameter: 4 in (101.6 mm)
Place of Origin:
France
Date of Manufacture:
c.1770-1820
Condition:
Exceptionally fine for age an type. One lobe of one pearl silk winder is broken off, the knife is replacement but is PR period match. Box might have had a mirror inside lid, no longer there. Music box plays beautifully! Keys to box and music box are with.
Seller Location:
San Marcos, CA
Reference Number:
Seller: 512prsew1stDibs: JU120505227140