I recently bought a partially filled but beautiful c.1820 French Palais Royal sewing box, intending to sell off its parts separately. En route from France, the old original interior mirror broke, which was disappointing, and yet this stunning and large burled wood box is still such a beauty, inside and out, I'm willing to offer it for whomever wishes to work to fill it up, piecemeal over time, or just display it as a gorgeous 200 year old table box. The box is in great shape, has its original and un-monogrammed shield cartouche as well as its working lock and original key, escutcheon in place. Large and heavy, the maker's etiquette or stamp also remains inside (to back, under the lift-out trays). Large at 11.25" x 8" x 4.5", 4 lift-out trays, pin cushions,
Very good condition for age and type, lacking the tools and the interior mirror, but has beautifully preserved fitted lift-out trays and boxes, compartments beneath and a lot of odds and ends tucked into the lower compartment which will stay (no tools). The box has stunning old burl wood which is heavy, as noted, and is not chipped or damaged. There is a naturalness to the grain and features of the wood. At first I thought them cracks but they're not, it's just part of the grain. Small dots are not woodworm holes, or are not holes at least. It would be tempting to strip this interior and make it into a cigar chest, really, except the fitted interior trays are still so beautiful and well-preserved. Were it filled with all the original sewing tools, implements, and complete, it would be in the range of a $5k-$7k value sewing box. You are buying the box with empty fitted trays, no sewing tools other than spare items in bottom compartment. Oh, and we will carefully pack the mirror pieces in case you wish to try to replace and use the gold embossed original paper on its edges.
