Antique Boulle Sewing Toilet Bag, S. XIX

Charming antique sewing kit made in France in the 19th century, in its original ebony-finished wooden case decorated with Boulle-Style marquetry. The case is a first-class woodwork piece containing a wonderful solid-silver and glass sewing kit. The kit contains a pair of scissors, a needle box, a needle, a punch and a delicate glass bottle with silver lid. The thimble is missing. All the tools are made of hand-carved solid silver, embellished with a fine naturalist and romantic-inspired decoration. The silver tools bear hallmarks that testify for their ancient age and origin. Even the delicate bottles lid (probably bound to contain the oil needed to grease the needle when sewing) bears its corresponding hallmarks. On the other hand, the ebony-finished wooden case is in very good condition: the lovely Boulle-style marquetry that decorates the lid, made of golden brass, wood and mother-of-pearl, is complete and remains as beautiful as when it was originally made. Inside the case is covered of bone-colored silk and dark blue velvet. The silk has a central hand-embroidered shield depicting a rducal crown, so it seems that at one time belonged to a member of the nobility. Gorgeous and undeniably special, this antique solid silver sewing kit in a Boulle-style case exudes charm and romanticism. Medidas: Ancho: 14,5 cm. Fondo: 8,5 cm.History of André-Charles Boulle André-Charles Boulle (11 November 1642 28 February 1732) was a French cabinetmaker generally considered to be the most preeminent artist in the field of marquetry. Christened by his contemporaries as "the most skillful artisan in Paris," André-Charles Boulle's name is synonymous with the practice of veneering furniture with marquetry of tortoiseshell, pewter, and brass. Although he did not invent the technique, Boulle was its greatest practitioner and lent his name to its common name: boulle work. Boulle also specialized in floral marquetry in both stained and naturally colored wood. Many of his designs are illustrated in a published around 1720: Nouveaux dessins de meubles et ouvrages de bronze et de marqueterie. Before 1666 Boulle was awarded the title of Master Cabinetmaker; in 1672 the king granted him the royal privilege of lodging in the Palais du Louvre. In the same year, he achieved the title of Cabinetmaker and Sculptor to Louis XIV, king of France. This new title allowed him to produce furniture as well as works in gilt bronze such as chandeliers, wall lights, and mounts. Boulles works can be found in the Palace of Versailles, the Chantilly Castle, the Cheverny Castle, the Louvre Museum, the Wallace Collection and the Royal Collection in London and the Getty Center in Los Angeles.