18k Solid Gold Sewing Kit By Nicolas Delafontaine

FOR MADAME LA MARQUISE DE L... Paris, Palais-Royal, Restoration (around 1820–1830)

A work of extreme refinement, this miniature sewing kit in 18 K solid gold was executed by the Parisian goldsmith Nicolas Delafontaine, renowned master of the Palais-Royal under the Restoration. It is an aristocratic object of an exceptional level, commissioned for Madame la Marquise de L..., as indicated by the engraved plate "Mme Mte de L..." and the monogram embroidered in bluish chenille. The walnut magnifying glass box, bordered with an inlaid frieze, contains seven entirely gold accessories: embroidery scissors, needle case, punch, minebox, thigh, lace-ups/earmuff, as well as a mother-of-pearl coil. Each one wears the Parisian punch with the ram's head (1819–1838), attesting to the purity of the precious metal. The rhombus punch visible on the scissors unambiguously identifies Nicolas Delafontaine. By the quality of its execution, the homogeneity of its decor - palmettes, papyrus, engraved ribbons - and the perfection of its miniature volumes, this set is located at the level of the works from the workshops of the Palais-Royal intended for the weddings of the large houses of the Faubourg Saint-Germain: La Rochefoucauld, La Trémoïlle, Lamoignon, Lévis or Lauriston. Comparables can be found in the collections of the Louvre Museum, the Copenhagen Museum of Decorative Arts and the Royal Museums of Art and History in Brussels, although copies entirely in solid gold, complete, personalized and attributed to a master goldsmith are extremely rare. Dimensions: 13 × 8.2 × 2.5 cm Total weight of gold: approx. 30 g In a normal market, a necessary of such importance would reach €12,000 to €18,000. Given the current context, it is offered at the **exceptionally reasonable price of 3.790 euros**.