Mahogany Navy Travel Writing Case Empire Period Early 19th-19th Century

A naval writing case in mahogany veneer and brass spandrels from the Empire - Restoration period, signed "Maire Fecit" for Pierre-Dominique Maire (1763-1827). Maire, merchant and manufacturer of necessaries, referenced in the Paris trade almanac (source: Bibliothèque nationale de France). Pierre-Dominique Maire was the most renowned tablet maker under the First Empire and even refused to give credit to Bonaparte on his return from Egypt, credit which was granted by his competitor Martin-Guillaume Biennais. The first mention of the tablet maker dates back to 1802 in this almanac, to disappear in 1825. Maire was established at 154 rue Saint Honoré in Paris. He had obtained in 1817 the title of manufacturer of necessaries to the King, the Duchess of Angoulême, the Dukes of Berry and Orléans, and Menus Plaisirs. He won two silver medals, one in 1802 and the other in 1819. HP monogram on the shield and the inkwell stoppers, probably in silver (but no hallmarks), ebony pen case. Clover lock, without key.