Charming little bauble from the old boutiques that surround the gardens of the Palais Royal, Paris - the old palace of Cardinal Richelieu, just a stone's throw from the Louvre and still a center of culture, theater. The old boutiques, though, in 1700s onward were lush with trinkets to treasure, a little thimble holder like this, or full palace-worthy sets of French sterling silver, porcelains, incredible travel chests and all the clothing to fill them. These trinkets of half-shells in mother of pearl with little bronze animals pulling the carriages they became, are among the collections we love. This one is just 2" long, 1.5" widest and about 1.25" tallest. Thimble size, or ring sized.
Very good to excellent condition, no breaks in the high gilt alloy pressed brass that comprises the carriage and rig, and the little horse is a bronze-looking solid cast "white metal". No breaks, one tiny flashing chip on rim of the half shell. Very pretty high pearlescent shimmer of color still on that shell. Lovely overall. And yes, those tiny wheels do turn. C. 1830-60s.
