Oh, if these old museum treasures could talk, tell us to whom they once belonged, and the stories in which presence they rested, it would be such fun. We can only tell you what we know about the remainders: c.1750-90 French Palais Royal necessaire, entirely fitted with the original dental necessities for the very elite. Opulent mother of pearl handles, 18k gold shield cartouche on most, 18k gold picks (3) retractable into the little pocket-knife like handle. There is a scraper for the teeth, a tooth brush with removable boar-bristle brush (a compartment to upper right holds the brush, which was probably a replaceable part). The handle which holds the brush is a small work of art, 18k gold collar and bas relief scenes with doves at each side panel. The 2-compartment long box, mother of pearl top with silver shields would have held dental 'paste', likely soda and another concoction similar to our toothpastes. That rather unique long piece, 2 mother of pearl lobes as handles on either side - that is a tongue scraper. Such luxury in its time!
Very good to excellent condition. All original implements, all complete in their original necessaire, etui, box. I can tell you this type of vanity item would have had a thin mirror set into the lid, trimmed with a cording of chenille around its perimeter. The old mirrors in these were thin, quite often did not survive the centuries. We've tried to source thin enough mirror to use in replacement, and glass suppliers are so curious to see such old and such thin glass mirror, and cannot ever help us. Sometimes we have an old salvage box, but we did not have a large enough original era mirror to replace the black silk velvet that has been set into it's place. Box has a tiny warp to left side, hinges and closure are in fine working order. Proper French marks for 18k gold and fine sterling silver are on utensils, pictured, so tiny I can't get a clearer image. A museum-worthy set, ought to turn up in a movie or period series, as have quite a few of our old sets. Watch for it.
