You know the kind of fabulous c.1750-1800 sewing box, necessaire, compendium from which this elaborately decorated needle case survives. These needle cases are found in sewing sets from small portable pocket styles to the large layered and expansive travel chests filled with layers of vanity, sewing and even eating utensils. The type you see here, with its 18k gold collar and gold foil- backed rock crystal insets which say D'Amite (Friendship) were entirely hand made and would have matched other pieces in the sets. It is generally accepted that most, if not all, of these sets originally were sold to elite patrons who enjoyed the leisure purrsuits of the truly wealthy offered up within the walls of the old Palais Royal of Paris. Formerly the palace of Cardinal Richelieu, it became from 1700s onward, a center for theatre, fine restaurants and a promenade of notable luxury purveyors the likes of which could not be found elsewhere. Those shops would offer up the very best silversmith's finest designed sterling silver and gold wares; elegant rich fabrics and custom made clothing, hats, etc., and all manner of household riches like fine porcelains of Sevres, Vincennes, opulent and whimsical French opaline glass creations, and sewing and travel sets that remain today highly sought out by collectors. Even the small one-at-a- time pieces from these sets delight collectors. We hope this one will find an appreciative new owner in spite of the chip to the inner lip of its bottom half.
Very good condition for age and type, with the notation of the chip to the elongated insert that acts as a closure, sliding into the upper half. While it still closes smoothly and displays perfectly well, the chip must be addressed and has been considered in our price. The panels of rock crystal that are backed by writing and by gold foil have some darkening, too, to be considered. Still, the age and heritage make it a lovely addition to any sewing notions collection.
IMPORTANT NOTE regarding antique tortoise shell or ivory: We are great supporters of protection for endangered species in our modern world. We never buy or sell anything 100 years or newer; we donate to anti-poaching organizations; we don't hunt; we conserve in ways that impact global warming (we're totally solar at home), knowing those measures also protect the animals in the wild today. We also recognize the vast cultural history we preserve with our care and reverence for these antique objects, and agree with CITES that objects over 100 years of age have nothing whatsoever to do with species depletion in our current world.
Our offering exceeds the age limitation of "more than 100 years of age", and is well within the exemption for CITES regulation. If imported, met the CITES regulation. This item will be handled and shipped from our Utah business, and is not available for shipment internationally, nor within the USA to California, NY, Nevada, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington if it contains ivory, sorry. Please see our small print for more details.
