RARE and spectacular (if slightly less than complete), this is a c.1817 "Ordinance Royal" set by French Master silversmith, Francois-Dominique NAUDIN, and sold through the "Maison GARNESSON, Palais Royal 21-22, Paris (boutique address in 1817). Original interior filled with finest travel accessories of the era, to include all of the original crystal jars, bottles, drinking cup, pots, eye wash tool, funnel, sterling silver caps on all, as well as original spoon and the infusion apparatus made to fit it for making coffee. The original pocket knife, tongue scraper, silk winders, 2 horn and mother of pearl sewing tubes, one with wood spool still inside - tweezer/ear wax spoon, mother of pearl ear wax spoon with Palais Royal 18k gold and enamel many seal, and mother of pearl handled dental tool. Original brush, comb, scissors and all items on lower shelves. The sterling silver sewing scissors, needle case, bodkin and thimble are mid-1800s set that has filled in. An amazing array of 7 crystal jars, bottles, cups, and 19 other items in top as you open it, and an additional 7 items within - total of 33 traveler's necessities in this elegant chest. The old Palais Royal, Paris, is there still, still a center of commerce, theater, dining, but in its origin it was the Palace of Cardinal Richelieu, and afterward because THE center for Royals and elites to shop, congregate socially. The items from the boutiques of the old Palais Royal remain museum pieces, highly sought after. These dressing travel chests are so rare to find now. Almost never complete, even in museums. And every single piece of significant value and history. We do not know to whom this one first belonged.
Very good condition for age and type. As noted, 33 items included, though about 6-7 are mid-1800s replacements, also valuable antiques (sewing set). A single eyewash tool can bring $500 on its own. Tongue scraper - very rare. No damage to any of the glass, also very rare! Both stoppers remain in the 2 large cologne bottles, caps fit perfectly. There is a drinking "timbale" or wine cup which has another jar nested within it, its leather sheath still suppler and fine. Lots of images. You'll enjoy looking. Set misses the original 2 upper shelf scissors, a nanette-shaped perfume flask, eraser cutting tool, perhaps a needle case (where you see an early 1800s horn medicine spoon that is not original). Magnificent set! Measurements are noted on the photos but exterior of box measures 12.75" long, 8.5" deep and 4.75" tall when closed. The lock escutcheon and cartouche are in mother of pearl. The box is beautifully contrasted fine burled woods, nicely preserved, as shown, but has some exterior restoration, who knows when that was accomplished. View all sides to see the full condition, please, shown in our photos. There is not a working key at listing time. We will try our spare antique keys and match one if possible, and if so will annotate our listing to include working key.
