RAREST 1820-40 Palais Royal Sewing Etui - Faux Tortoise Shell & French Dore Bronze Carriage & Bronze Horse -

RAREST 1820-40 Palais Royal Sewing Etui - Faux Tortoise Shell & French Dore Bronze Carriage & Bronze Horse -

A real prize! This is one of the rare ones. The little shell miniature carriage/ casket you see here is one that would have found its way to its first owner by way of the boutiques that flank the gardens of the old Richelieu palace of Paris, always referred to as simply, 'The Palais Royal'. The items and trinkets and fine treasures that were meant for Royals, Courtiers, Napoleon's Officers, and later the wealthiest of the Grand Tour travelers were to be found in this most elegant of shopping promenades. The Palais Royal's history is as rich and delightful as are the pieces that remain as highly coveted and avidly collected early French objet d'art. You'll see items like this in museums around the world, and there are a handful of excellent books dedicated to the French items that hail from those early boutiques. You'll find some noted in Nerylla Taunton's book on antique sewing implements, more in Miller's guides through the years, and more than a few in Museum guides. Rare enough to find thes old boxes, but to find the carriage is something extra special. Don't miss this one!

Very good condition, with a few age hairline cracks in the shell, which is absolutely in character for these old French ones where the shell is not veneered to wood, but is itself the panel. That there is no missing chunk or section qualifies it as 'excellent' to most knowledgeable collectors. The loss of one handle of the little sewing scissors inside is more bothersome, but again ony slightly so since it is rare enough to find these with anything remaining of the sewing implements. The rarity of this carriage should not be overlooked. A truly amazing piece. It is French in origin, but we have purchased it within the USA.

Item ID: 508tscaretui

NOTE This item will be handled and shipped from our Utah office, and is not available to California customers, sorry. Please see our small print for more details.

$2,995 $2,546 USD SALE

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