Truly rare and exquisite creation, this early 1800s French Palais Royal Empire dore bronze framed mother of pearl chest of large size is complete with original sewing tools and the music box in compartment below the sewing tray is fully intact and still works. I have seen the engraved parquet mother of pearl chests in museums, or 1 or 2 at market, but this is the first we've owned. It has the feel of a jewel more than a sewing box, and makes one wonder for whom it was originally created. Surely bespoke. I've never seen one in this form, a couple in squarish rectangular flat box form, not the sarcophagus raised top or steeply angled sides. To think it has stood the test of over 200 years and has but a single hairline on one panel of ornate engraved and high-pearlescent parquet sections seems unbelievable. And to open and reveal its full 13 tool and implement set inside plus working music box, unbroken original mirror, padded silk protector - really quite amazing. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent for age and type, it is not perfect but is quite incredibly intact with materials considered. Mother of pearl is a brittle difficult to carve material, and here we have not only the typical Palais Royal implements, exquisitely hand carved, we have 24 panels of pearl mounted into the dore framework to create the outer chest. No loss, and just a single tight hairline on 1 triangular panel top front right corner. To have an unbroken original 200+ year old mirror is also quite remarkable, and it remains in place, has some silvering disruptions but not much for age. The music box plays a lovely melody, and the glass-topped cover is in place to amplify the sound. The music box is not missing any tines, which is unusual. It plays moving it with the finger, and it will obviously run, but the key with the box is slightly large and will not wind the mechanism. Mechanism is not overwound, to be sure, and does play. Needs correct key. We'll be searching. Note that the tool tray has 2 sets of carved silk winder 'snowflakes', one smaller than the other and made to fit the beveled recess. All pieces remain but the bodkin (ribbon needle). The flaw of note is to the scissors' one mother of pearl handles. It is impossibly intricate in design and while it displays nicely in place, there is a full break marked with 'x' so you can see it. The tip of stiletto is bent to use as crochet hook, although a tambour is with the set. I didn't straighten it, but it could be carefully returned to point. A very tiny note that the needle case, while stunning, has a 1/8" nipped top corner of carving. You'll only note it as a slight variation to the symmetry. 18k gold trims, cap on perfume flacon, vial. The flaw that has us offering it at half value is that the silk covered interior should have a replacement to bring it up to highest beauty. We will show it and leave it up to next owner to determine if it's an issue. Slight flaws to the fabric of the silk ribbon embroidered pin cushion. It is very old, made of fragile materials, and it is quite amazing to have survived as well as you see it. A thrill just to see this one!
