Women's art. Women's work: crochet and laces made with the variable hook crochet tambour as you see it here. The sections are threaded and hollow and it stores its own variation of hooks within, to be mounted at the end and tightened in with the little cog pin that is seen at the side. These were usually a tool in a larger grouping of sewing and vanity items, fitted to the interior of a grand sewing box, or travel vanity case. Most often these cases were Palais Royal boutique vendor's wares, offered up c.1700s to 1840s from the finest makers and shops, to the elite of the world, from the Palais Royal. Cardinal Richelieu's former Palace, and a place of commerce, theatre, culture - finest wares sold in the boutiques that lined the promenade of the center enclosed gardens. This is just one. We have several to offer, and each sold separately so look for all.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, and entirely complete. It has no dents and is functional, has the crochet tips within as you see in our images. The ratchet cog is in place to tighten down on the inserted crochet hook. There might seem to be something missing at the bulbous top end, as we can tell from the screw-mount visible there. But in fact, it is complete as shown and that is where the tip cover mounts when the tool is in use, extending it and opening up the crochet hook end. Nothing is missing. Fabulous old one, c.1810-30. French.
