Description:
A fine Paris  NÉCESSAIRE DE VOYAGE  tightly packed with  tools and accessories for personal grooming.  

The burr elm box is edged with brass  and has inset brass carrying handles.  The gilded silver toped cut crystal bottles and jars have the Paris silver mark for 1818-1838. The tools are a delight of mother of pearl and steel.

Origin: Palais Royal area of Paris

Circa: 1820

Materials: burr elm, brass, gilded silver, crystal, mother of pearl, cut steel leather 

Size: 12.8” x 8.5” 5.5" tall. 32.5cm x 21.5cm 13.8cm tall

Condition: Overall good but some staining to the silk and one of the small crystal jars is slightly chipped.  There is some pitting to the gilt. See larger photos.

The burr elm is saw cut veneer and has a very dramatic figure. It was mainly used in the early 19th Century. Later boxes are veneered with rosewood palisander. The box is edged with brass  for both strength and accent. 

It also  has inset brass carrying handles. which were fashionable in the early 19th Century. 

The brass detail on the upper part of the box is an elegant device to assist opening. It is particular to Palais Royal  coffrets. 

 The burr elm is saw cut veneer and has a very dramatic figure. The rounded corners soften the effect of the brass.

 The key which is a replacement works. 

The lock is peculiarly French with a luck quatrefoil shaped key shaft. 

 The box opens to a layer of guilt topped crystal jars and tools.

In the centre there are mother of pearl and steel tools.

 The box is here unpacked. It is hard to believe that all these things fit into such a small space! They are very tight.

The box has two lift out tool trays. This, the upper one, contains carved and turned mother of pearl and steel tools. The gold thimble is not of French origin a probably a replacement.  

 The two trays together. 

The brush has a leather confining surround to keep the bristels in place. This form I have seen in boxes marked  with with the name of  Aucoc Ainéin made in the 1840's 

Aucoc Ainéin  was one of the most celebrated Palais Royal Maître tabletiers. 

The early boxes unlike the later do not have the name of the maker name clearly marked on the lock plate. . 

One of the small bottles has a little chip missing.

 There is some staining to the silk linings.

The gilded silver toped cut crystal bottles and jars have the Paris silver mark for 1818-1838.

The gilded silver toped cut crystal bottles and jars have the Paris silver mark for 1818-1838. 

Ivory and steel manicure tools.