Quiet Street Antiques of Bath has dated this piece to the 1870s.
The top opens to reveal the fully-fitted interior with the wonderful original contents (protected by an original silk pad) which include mother-of-pearl thimble; scissors; stiletto; needle-case; cotton reels; bodkin; scent bottle etc., and full set of four MOP “snowflake” winders.
The pad of tools and implements can be lifted out to reveal compartments below, one of which contains the original French musical movement which plays two tunes and is in perfect “melodious” working order. Complete with winding and locking keys. circa 1850-65. 12ins wide; 7.5ins deep front-to-back and 6.25ins high.
The Palais Royale was originally built in 1633 as a palace for Cardinal Richelieu and was initially called “Palais Cardinal”. Late in the 18th century it was converted into a number of prestigious fashionable shops with a separate theatre and gardens. These shops, removed from the dirty streets into genteel covered retail passages, became famous for their high quality objets d’arts, some of which were manufactured ‘in situ’. It became a fashionable pastime to stroll amongst these shops making occasional purchases and (of course) to be seen. Later in the 19th century it gained a reputation for somewhat ill repute, immortalised by the novelist Balzac. Today it is owned by the French Government, with some parts ‘out-of-bounds’; however the pretty courtyards and colonnades with their shops and the gardens can be visited on a daily basis.
(NB. This very fine and complete musical Sewing Box is not on view in the shop. Please e-mail kerry@quietstreetantiques.co.uk or telephone 07860 818212 for viewing details)
Quiet Street Antiques of Bath has dated this piece to the 1870s.
Fine antiques at sensible prices
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Quiet Street Antiques of Bath Profile Page
FINE FITTED "PALAIS ROYALE" SEWING BOX
