AN FRENCH FIRST EMPIRE SILVER FITTED VANITY CASE "NECESSAIRE DE VOYAGE", PARIS 1803-9 BY PIERRE-NOEL BLAQUIERE (REG. 1803/4)

The case of rectangular form with a yew veneered exterior, edged with inset brass stringing and corner sections, the front with a shield shaped brass escutcheon. The gilt tooled Moroccan leather interior fitted with four cut clear glass scent bottles, three with silver lids, a small scent funnel (small guarantee mark only) and two jar lids (each fully marked, Paris 1798-1809), also an ivory seal handle and later ivory box base. The interior of the lid with a tooled green leather document sleeve and a label reading “Rue St Honore, No 154 MAIRE, Ft de Necessaires Du Roi”. Silvered copper mirror clasps. (Damages and losses).

Case length – 23 cm / 9 inches

Silver weight – 53 grams / 1.7 ozt