Description

With Accompanying Gold Tools & Mirror

From our Sewing Box collection, we are delighted to offer this French Palais Royal Etui Sewing Box. The Sewing Box veneered in Satinwood of rectangular form beautifully decorated with brightly polished cut steel faceted pins throughout with matching steel banding and handle, and a Mother of Pearl escutcheon. When opened the box reveals a blue silk-lined water paper with an inner mirror, removable tray and a set of gold accompanying tools including a thimble, scissors, cut-glass bottle, star-shaped mother-of-pearl winders, pick and needle case. The gold tools are hallmarked in various locations. The top tray removes via two tabs, one on each side to allow further storage below. The Sewing Box dates to the first half of the 19th century circa 1830 during the reign of Charles X.

The Sewing Box comes complete with working lock and key.

Palais Royal is the collective name of objects that were sold within a Palace in Paris. Originally it was built for Cardinal Richelieu in 1629 and was originally named Palais Cardinal but after the death of Richelieu, it was inherited by King Louis XIII and was named Palais Royal. The palace was later bequeathed to Philippe d’Orléans, a cousin of Louis XVI and in 1781, Philippe d’Orléans, on the verge of financial ruin, decided to subdivide the Palais Royal Garden, which until then had been free of any dwelling. Construction took five years, after which 90 merchants moved in. The area was a popular place for loiterers, betters, pickpockets, and prostitutes. When the revolution ended in 1799 the Palais Royal was refurbished again by Napoleon Bonaparte when he became Emperor in 1804 and it housed galleries and shops selling high quality luxury wares such as this notebook above. It again fell into disrepair when gambling was banned in 1838 but restored in the 1870s. Due to this, there are very few if any pearl Palais Royal objects crafted after 1840.

Satinwood is found in India and Sri Lanka. It has a rich golden colour and an almost reflective sheen. Satinwood is traditionally used for high quality furniture.

Mother of Pearl is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer. It is the same material that natural pearls are made from and is desirable due to its strong and resilient makeup along with its beautiful iridescent shimmer.

With every purchase from Mark Goodger Antiques, you will receive our latest catalogue, a Certificate of Authenticity, detailed care instructions for your chosen piece and an independent invoice (for insurance purposes) will be enclosed. As well as being protected by a no-hassle, money-back policy, your piece will be entirely insured during the shipping process to ensure the safety of your item.

Additional information