A fabulous and very rare form among these old Grand Tour souvenirs, this one is a nearly 9" long wheeled carriage, c. 1840-1850, a crackle-opaline art glass "egg" casket that is topped by a pair of hinged lids mounted with back-painted glass (eglomise) souvenir paintings. The paintings depict Notre Dame and The Bourse (the "purse" - the finance center for France). The wheels turn, the carriage has tassels at the handle (a fixture of the early 1800s whimseys). Fabulous along with your opaline egg collection or paired with your eglomise views of Paris' architectural icons, some being your favorites from your own Grand Tour. The carriage is definitely one from the boutiques of the old Palais Royal, former residence of Cardinal Richelieu and historied center of commerce and social life for 1700s to 1800s Paris.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, with only the slight disruption of the painting of The Bourse to be listed or pointed out as a flaw of its advanced age. Closing in on 200 years of age, it's little enough flaw to note, after all. The hinged sides of the carriage basket lift smoothly and close smoothly. There are no flaws to the dore ormolu framework, and the wheels work. Wouldn't it be fabulous as a centerpiece or gift for a celebration of a new baby!
