Complete Antique French Palais Royal Sewing Set * C1820

Antique Palais Royal Sewing Set

French * Circa 1820

This wonderful old set is French and came from a section of Paris called the Palais Royal. The top of the classically shaped box is beautifully grained burled satinwood. Inside the top is a mirror and a silk tool pad covers a lift out tray fitted for needlework tools. The tray is lined in the original deep rose silk velvet.  Four of the winder spaces have mirrors beneath. The tools all fit their spaces perfectly and I think are original. This set is unusual as the pin case isn't mother of pearl but is obviously original to the box. These sets were made up individually for the customer and don't always match.

The overall condition of the box is excellent. There is one chip in the veneer at the bottom of the left side (see photo) and the mother of pearl key surround has a chip (repaired). The linings, hinges, silk tool pad and paper on the bottom appear to be original. I'm not so sure about the mirror. The wood grain and patina are lovely and it measures 7 3/4" long by 5 1/2" wide by 3 1/8" high.  Under the tool tray is an area for storing silks, patterns and works in progress.  

The tools include scissors, needle case, bodkin, thimble, tambour hook, vinaigrette, pin case, silk pin cushion (in bottom) and 5 silk winders. The thimble, needle case and pin case are all mounted with enameled gold pansies. The mother of pearl is beautifully luminous. I have searched for flaws and this is what I found. The side of the thimble has some fine striations that run along the natural layering of the mother of pearl and were very hard to photograph. These are not cracks. The scissors have a chip at the bottom of one handle but that spot has been glued and the scissors are stable and cut well. The tambour hook doesn't have its screw and the little steel hook is pushed into place. The needle case has a hairline crack in the top edge at the side. The winders, vinaigrette, pin case and bodkin are all in excellent condition. This set is shown in one of the photographs in Palais Royal Needlework Tools by Sylvie Collett. (See my eBay Store for this new book.) Postage includes Registered Mailing.

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