Rare complete set, a Palais Royal writer's nécessaire in carved mother of pearl. Comprised of 2 inkwells, an engraved monogram was seal, paper cutter, dip pen, and sharp scraper tool which is how erasures were done in it's era - scraping away the ink from the handmade 100% cotton rag paper or vellum (thin goat skin) that served as writing paper in the last half 1700s when this was given. The very latest might be c.1810. The interior mirror is unbroken, very good. The set would have had a padded silk protector to lay between tools and mirror to protect it. Unique outer box, the box is wood and veneer is a composite of some sort that has foil set into it so it is reflective of light and very beautiful. I've never seen another with this particular exterior. Full measurements noted on our photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, dating mid-late 1700s, it appears to have been gifted and either just put away or perhaps treasures. Not much evidence of use and interior remains complete and clean. One odd flaw notation: the handle of the pen is very slightly warped, so a gradual curve can be seen. No chips, no cracks, no breaks. One inch square inkwells are each in place, light roughness of the glass on the mouth of one. Caps would have originally also had corks but those have long since deteriorated. A fabulous museum quality writing set!
