Lot #1: Palais Royal Etui and Mother of Pearl Sewing Accessories

Mother of pearl, also known as nacre, has long been used for decorative inlay into furniture, religious and decorative objects, as cutlery handles, and as handles for small tools. It became especially popular in the mid-1800s, as the Victorian love of natural materials and ornamentation prevailed. This collection of antique sewing items is highlighted by the c.1810 French necessaire, a small sewing kit that would have been part of any well-to-do woman's arsenal. This one is complete, from the Palais Royal shops situated in arcades built by Louis Phillipe II, the Duke of Orleans--a luxury shopping destination from the 1780s through the mid-1800s. Housed in a gilt-stamped red leather case with a mirror under the lid, each item rests in a specially fitted spot, all with silk-covered board surrounds, in pale mushroom velvet. Two thread winders, a needle case with gold banding and small enamel inset flower, bodkin, punch, thimble with gold banding, steel scissors with gold and fish-motif mother of pearl handles. Tools are in fine condition; gold is likely 18K; case shows slight wear commensurate with age and use. We were unable to find carat weight marks, but these were not compulsory until the 1920s. We've also included a variety of small items, a few in abalone: thread winders; picks; cutting tools; shuttles for tatting; a set of earrings and pin, c. 1910; a school of fantastically delicate fish that serve as thread winders, from China, c. 1890; and coin shaped winders, same. All displayed in a wooden vitrine with dove-tail joinery, glass lid, with brass hinges and clasp. 
Condition: overall excellent
Measurements: 22"W X 17.5"D X 3.5"H
Pickup category timeslot {A}