Another truly stunning early 1800s French Palais Royal sewing chest, box, coffret. This one in very fine form, indeed, and with all but the 2 small mother of pearl snowflake silk winders. Beautiful from all points of view, it still has its lift-out fitted tray with gold metallic embroidery pin and needle cushion, working scissors, stiletto, needle case, ear wax spoon and toothpick folding tool, thimble and needle. All trimmed in 18k yellow gold, as shown. The box, itself, is pristine but for the mother of pearl escutcheon (piece that would have encircled the keyhole), and it does have a working lock and key. Burl and complimenting hardwood veneers are enhanced by the steel cabochons and handle, and steel bun feet below a contrasting trim at bottom of the sarcophagus form casket. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, as noted above. Noting even the original lining is fully intact along with the original mirror inside the lid. Missing would be 2 mother of pearl 'snowflake' silk winders, though the mirror rounds beneath where they'd rest are there and unbroken. The 2 tiny toothpicks on one end of the folding tool have broken off, but the ear wax spoon on opposite side is complete and it's a beautiful little 'extra' tool. Scissors and needle case and thimble, all in mother of pearl, are originals to this set, as is the scent bottle with its tiny stopper (stuck but unbroken) and 18k gold cap, but I think the stiletto is a nice replacement, slightly small for the fitted box's space, as you can see. There is no padded silk pad, which would have been original and there to protect tools and mirror. Tray is excellent. Box is excellent! NOTE: the 2 silk embroidered panels shown with this sewing box do not stay with it. They provide ambiance and color contrasts for our photos.
