#6812                                                                                  

Click here for larger image.

                                                   

Click here for larger image.

                                               

Click here for larger image.

                                                                                                                         

Palais Royal Necessaire  - In the early part of the 19th century, the finest needlework sets were being made in Paris.   When Louis Phillipe inherited the royal palace he turned one wing of the palace into a shopping arcade which was known as the Palais Royal.   Only the finest artisans were allowed to set up shop there and they catered of course, to the wealthy aristocrasy.  They were famous for making exquisite things from mother of pearl.  This necessaire is one of those exquisite things.   

The lovely satinwood box features faceted steel beading on the top and a velvet lined tray on the inside.  The tools inside include:  a cut crystal scent bottle, mother of pearl handled scissors, stiletto, needlecase, two gorgeous silkwinders, a replacement thimble with a glass top and a pincushion.      

The box is slightly warped so it does not close completely.  It is otherwise in beautiful condition.  The scissors have a tiny and minor weakness on the handle and one tip is broken off.  The scent bottle is missing its inner stopper.   The stiletto has a slight bend on the tip.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        $1650
                                                                                                       New Price    $995                

Click picture for larger image.

  #8089                         

Figural Tape Measure 'Mandolin'-

Figural tape measures became very popular in the second half of the 19th century.  This little charmer depicts a beautiful mandolin. It is the type of mandolin with a rounded back that is referred to as a 'potato bug' mandolin. It is realistic enough to include frets, tuning pegs and strings.  My husband says it probably needs to be tuned.  He's a funny man (?).
 

Click picture for larger image.

                                                               


The condition of the tape measure is good although there are a couple of very minor dents on the front and the back of the instrument.  The silk tape is complete and has inches printed on both sides of the tape.  It measures 2 5/8" long x 1" wide x 3/4" deep.  It is pictured on page 126 of the book, Collecting Figural Tape Measures by Elizabeth & Douglas Arbittier and Janet & John Morphy.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 $310
                                   New Price    $285

Click picture for larger image.

  #8088                         

Figural Tape Measure 'Alarm Clock' -

Figural tapes have become a very popular obssession for collectors, and I'm beginning to see why.  I've purchased a few from a collector and I think I'm hooked.  These realistic little tape mea- sures are really easy to love. This brass alarm clock has movable hands, in fact they move every time you wind the tape in or out. The tape shows inches on one side and centimeters on the other side. 
 

Click picture for larger image.

                                                               


The brass is showing some tarnish but the worst of it is on the back of the clock.  I don't see any dents.  The tape is complete and starts at one inch.  It measures 2" high by 1 3/4" wide by 3/4" deep.  It is pictured on page 129 of the Arbittier and Morphy book.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 $235
                                                 New Price    $225

Click picture for larger image.

  #8085                         

Avery Needlecase 'Athena'-

This particular brass needlecase was not actually made by the William Avery company, it was made by Pratt & Farmer, a licensee of the Avery Company.  This one is stamped with the makers mark of Pratt & Farmer as well as "The Athena Golden Needle Case".  It is made to hinge open at the middle of the case and shows sections for sizes 6,7,8 & 9 needles.
 

Click picture for larger image.

                                                               


The needlecase opens smoothly and easily however, care must be taken when the needle case is closed.  The two sides must be alligned correctly for it to close.  This is a nice example of an avery at an affordable price.
                                                                                                                                                                           $195
                                               New Price      $165

Click picture for larger image.

  #8091                         

18th. Century Gold Scissors - 

These 18kt. gold scissors are French and they are very high quality. They are etched with exquisite swirls and flourishes and even the finger holes are quite beautiful.  Inside each of the finger holes are the initials "LL". The engraving is faint but still readable. The scissors measure 3 1/2" in length. This type of very early, very high quality scissors is actually quite rare.
 

Click picture for larger image.

                                                               



In spite of the extreme age of these lovely scissors, they are in very good condition.  The handles are tight, the blade tips are intact and there are no repairs.  These scissors are simply beautiful and quite rare.
                                                                                                                                                                         $620
                                               New Price    $585

Click picture for larger image.

  #8087                         

Figural Tape Measure 'Bathing House'- 

This incredibly charming figural tape measure is modeled after a Victorian bathing house. It is sometimes referred to as a "rickshaw" because the handles were meant to be pulled along like a rickshaw. But this bathing house has a very different and very charming pur- pose. 

Victorian ladies absolutely did not want anyone to see them in their 'bathing costumes'.  So when they went to the beach, they would change into their bathing suits in a tent set up on the beach for that purpose. Then this bathing house would be pulled up to the opening in the tent and the ladies would slip inside. The bathing house would then be pulled into the sea and the ladies would get out into the water. Queen Victoria herself was known to use a bathing house.
 

Click picture for larger image.

                                                               


The blue linen tape is marked in inches and it starts at 1 inch, so it is complete. The winding mechanism is in good working order and the brass tape measure is in good condition. It is pictured on page 114 of the book, Collecting Figural Tape Measures by Elizabeth & Douglas Arbittier and Janet & John Morphy. The tape measure measures 3" x 2" x 1".
                                                                                                                                                                                   $435
                                                     New Price      $365

Click picture for larger image.

  #8086                         

Figural Tape Measure 'Sewing Machine'-

This is probably the most wonderful figural tape measure that I have ever seen. What makes it wonderful first is the incredible detail.  The two legs of the sewing machine are just stunning.  It is quite simply a beautiful thing.  But the second thing that makes it wonderful for me is that I am a needlewoman. I love to stitch.  So this special little tape measure just speaks to me. 
 

Click picture for larger image.

                                                               


It measures 1 3/4" x 2 1/4" x 1".  The markings on the blue linen tape are faint but still readable and the tape is complete.  The tape measure itself is in good condition. It is pictured on page 147 of the book, Collecting Figural Tape Measures by Elizabeth & Douglas Arbittier and Janet & John Morphy.
                                                                                                                                                                                   $545
                                                       New Price    $445

                                                                       #8077                                                                                  

Click here for larger image.

                                                   

Click here for larger image.

                                               

Click here for larger image.

                                                                                                                         

Workbox with Silver Tools  - This lovely satinwood workbox features faceted steel beading in a pattern of floral branches. This type of steel beading was the precursor to markasite and the polished steel would have sparkled like jewels when new. The box measures 7 1/2" x 5" x 3 1/4" high.  The inside lid of the box has a mirror framed in chenille and a fitted velvet tray.  Underneath the tray is a storage area lined in its original pale blue paper. 

The tools inside include:  a cut crystal scent bottle with a silver top and its original stopper, a mother of pearl bodkin and one silkwinder, and a silver needlecase, scissors, stiletto and thimble.  These are all original except possibly the thimble.  It's always difficult to tell if the thimble is original as they are so often replaced. This one fits the opening in the tray very well.  In addition, there is a beaded velvet pincushion.      

The box is in very good condition, although the key is missing.  There are also three silkwinders missing. The original silk pad is also in very good condition, as is the mirror.                                                                                                                                                                                                              $695
                                                                                                               New Price      $675