Bleasdales Ltd
Lot 397
A fine early 19th Century Palais Royal musical writing implement box, the rectangular box in mirror glass, the lid centred by a finely carved and pierced mother of pearl plaque as a female figure emblematic of the arts and science (top of spear lacking), within a curved gilt metal border pierced with flowers and leaves. The front with a carved mother of pearl anthemion escutcheon, the front and sides with borders in sections of mother of pearl engraved with leaf scrolls, the back with a plain mother of pearl border, raised on a gilt moulded edge and four shell mounted paw feet. The lid interior fitted with a mirror over a flush fitted velvet tray with a complete selection of carved mother of pearl and ornamental tools, comprising a mother of pearl paper knife with silver shield, the terminal carved and pierced as a lyre with jewelled mounts, a silver shield mounted stiletto gilt mount and faceted steel stem, a pair of steel bladed scissors with gilt mounts, the arms carved as dolphins, a curved handle eraser with silver shield, another with silver shield, the terminal pierced and carved with jewelled mounts, a feather form dip pen with knib with gilt metal and enamel pansy motif, a seal with silver shield and carved vase form stem, a ruler centred by a silver shield and pierced and carved with leaf scrolls, a gilt metal mounted glass inkwell and companion sander. Fitted below the tray with an operative cylinder musical box with complete comb, the compartmentalised interior lined in cream and pink satin. Central crack to lid mirror, crack to one side and the back with some losses to silvering, box 26 x 18 x 11cms.
