A fine c. 1850-70 (Napoleon III or mid-Victorian era) French scent caddy, boulle worked top and brass stringing, accent of mother of pearl. Slightly short of pristine, but open it and the rarity of 3 pristine gilded Baccarat scent or perfume bottles, each complete with undamaged stoppers and set into one of the finest condition interiors I've ever found in these - such a thrill! You'll fight with yourself whether to display it open or closed, as both are so appealing. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. So often, broken or chipped or mis-matched replacements fill these scent caddies. Only very rarely do we find one with all of the original Baccarat bottles and even more rare that there is not a tiny bit of damage to any. Even the gilded enamel work, hand applied, is hardly missing any at all. The interior is excellent in all ways, for age. The silk and silk velvet lining is entirely original and has no stains nor deterioration of age. As if it were a beloved gift or one forgotten for a century and a half or more. The casket is slightly less perfect, with one stringing lifted and lost on right side of top, a coupe of tiny imperfections at corners, and one canted trim panel must have come loose at some time and was reset very slightly askew. That noted, it is still in beautiful condition overall, and no lifts nor loss to the boullework top. The lock appears to work, though at listing time we do not have a key for it. Photos show it all very well. Just look at those scent bottles. The original vendor sticker remains on bottom, with the original papered bottom showing age.
