Description

A lovely, outstanding quality fully-fitted mid-19th century French “Palais Royal” combination sewing, writing, vanity and tea box. Veneered in rare mulberry wood with canted top and inlaid engraved mother of pearl to the lid, with a shield-shaped escutcheon . The box opens to reveal a full set of original contents, which include some of the rarest, most outstanding quality pieces we have seen.

The shell used is very thick and carved to an extremely high standard, with inset rose gold shields. Its contents comprise a stiletto, penknife, bodkin, needle, two rulers, dip pen, pencil, seal, two inkwells, two cut-glass perfume bottles and a superb scalloped caddy spoon in the form of a shell. To the middle back is a never-seen-before raised silk cushioned block, beautifully embroidered with flowers, which lifts to reveal a tin-lined tea compartment. The lid retains its original mirror and removable silk pad for the interior.

This beautiful rare Palais Royal box comes with a fully working lock and tasselled key.

Additional information