RARE Antique French Sterling Silver Vanity, Paul Sormani - Trousse d'Voyage - P Sormani, - C. Dufour, Paris
Ah - to travel in style! Imagine the luxurious places this travel vanity valise has been! I was just in Hearst's Castle a couple of weeks ago, and in his mistress' (Marion Davies) bedroom was a trousse de voyage very much like this one, though not as fabulous, seriously. This cased travel vanity set marked with the prestigious name P. Sormani, would have been the equivalent of a similar set from Tiffany here in the USA. Both a maker and marketer of finest luxury goods in the late 1800s to earliest 1900s, items that bear the mark 'Paul Sormani' are synonymous with quality and elegance. This set, sterling & natural materials, case marked Charles Dufour and silver marked 'Sormani' is a combination effort in abject luxury, and would have attended a very well-heeled late 1800s traveler. The elegant deeply engraved monogram is all we have today to give hint to whom that traveler might have been: M R being the monogram that is so beautifully intertwined in each piece. The set includes several sterling silver topped jars, cologne bottles, a soap dish with sterling caps, and is completed with other travel necessities in fine old ivory. Brushes have been thoroughly sanitized and are ready for use should you decide to take this along on your own 'Grand Tour', or to thrill you in open-case display as you see it here. The set can be added to and completed with other French sterling silver vanity items. This is a marvelous set! Paul Sormani's fame is primarily for fine furniture pieces, to include small table boxes. That this carries the Sormani company name and is itself a companion to the luxurious style of Sormani is a wonderful attribute and underscores the value and rarity of this set. Such romance - imagine a time when this was your carry-on for the train or carriage. If only it could tell its tales!Very good condition, complete with original canvas outer case which has protected the beautiful leather valise perfectly. Very little sign of age on this one! The leather is not stained or damaged, nor does it show roughness of handling in travel. No holes, splits, tears, scrapes. A superb case! Sterling silver is heavy old French sterling, beautifully made and before you without a single ding or dent. What's there is almost perfect. One hairline crack in a bottom corner of one cologne bottle. Missing: travel mirror, comb, a couple of manicure tools. A wonderful gift idea for the consummate traveler on your list!
Item ID:
807sormani