The box is typical of the early Napoleon III era, and I would have said it was c.1850-70 for that reason, but the inclusion of the original interior fitted tray and its 3 "necessaire" items with the included original calendar for 1850 helps us pin its date to that year. This type of set was a traditional gift for a 1st communion Catholic celebration, and this one, quite obviously, was treasured rather than used. The fitted interior tray still has the 3 pieces, a tiny carnet du ball, a larger note card necessaire, and a matching coin purse (typically thought of as an item to hold tithing for church service). The box is a splendid glimpse at the elegant accoutrement of a time long since gone by. And a wonderful display chest for your collection. Ebonized wood outer casket with brass stringing all in place and a not-yet-engraved cartouche, a matching escutcheon and the old original working key finish the box well. Splendid condition throughout for age and type. I will add, while the items inside are creamy white color, they are more similar to celluloid-like material we sometimes see in the boulle sets of this period.
Very good to excellent condition - remarkable, in fact. Interior silk is fabulous - far better than most. The space below the lift-out tray would have originally held a pair of white gloves. The box form is the traditional for use as a glove box. The inclusion of the lift-out tray and its original 3 items is exceptionally rare. One is missing its little tin or similar metal cartouche (the little one) but they're otherwise really quite amazing in condition. The small one has its tiny pencil but the larger does not, and each have a little tear at the loop in center, owing to someone trying to open it without removing said pencil. A tiny flaw for such an old and wonderfully complete set! The box is approximately 10.5" long and 4.5" tall and deep front to back.
