Rarest Antique French Boulle Sterling Sewing Etui, Faux Tortoise Shell ALL 5 Original Vermeil Implements

Rarest Antique French Boulle Sterling Sewing Etui, Faux Tortoise Shell ALL 5 Original Vermeil Implements

Absolutely exquisite and very rare antique 1830s French Boulle style faux shell & gilt ormolu sewing casket, a magnificent etui with fitted interior and COMPLETE with five original gilded sterling silver or vermeil implements!! One of our finest sewing etuis at the moment, my first guess would have been that this one dated between the late 1700s to 1820 or so but the silver hallmarks my bring it to the 1830s. TINY hallmarks and I can't quite make them out, even under high magnification, but they're either the French boar or horse head and I've given up on trying to discern the diamond shaped maker marks ;). All five original pieces, very rare, and all in great shape with the only damage in the separated scissor handle (see pics). An amazing old casket, elegant vermeil tools and all!

Very good condition. There is crazing to the shell on the beveled lid and sides but the large (thicker) top panel is lustrous and beautiful. No missing ormolu trim. There are two small shell chips, one on a side where a tack holds the trim and the other about center on the lower rear panel of the box. The interior has a mirror in the lid (original?) and the velvet fittings in the base. It would likely have had rope borders or piping around the mirror and fittings but that's easy to replace. The ribbon loop that would have held the bodkin is also missing. All of the implements are in superb condition except for the scissors, that have a clean break in the steel portion just above the scissor. See pictures for measurements.

NOTE This item will be handled and shipped from our Utah office, and is not available to California customers, sorry.

Item ID: 706tsetui

$2,395 $2,036 USD SALE

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