Dating to 1750s, this is an English Bilston enameled 'necessaire' or vanity etui. This is a sad story to tell, and a cautionary tale all in one. I bought this around 20 years ago, $2000 plus - completely filled inside, all the miniature tools, 2 square scent bottles, and a little necessity of enamel restoration along bottom. We removed and bagged all of the tools, and it was complete - and sent the necessaire off for very small enamel restoration. And, heartbreakingly, we have never found what became of the set of implements and 2 scent bottles - all perfect - which had been inside. Through the years we've moved warehouse a couple time, spent countless hours searching all the places we can even think of in spare moments, looking for that bag of contents for this etui. Finally, now, it seems out only chance of them turning up is if we go ahead and sell the etui. So we are offering the case, etui, necessaire. IF, miraculously, we do some day find the implements and scent bottles that go inside, we will be immediately in contact with the customer who buys this one to work out putting the set back together, complete. If you're a collector of necessaire, or of authentic 1750s Bilston enamel objects, here is one spectacular one. And a promise and story.
Very good to excellent etui, it has had a small spot restored on bottom back corner (from memory) and as noted above, we have lost or misplaced the original implements which were with it when I bought it at auction many years ago in France. Time to let things go. Measurements are noted on the photos.
