Mother-of-pearl And Gilded Bronze Couture Egg, Circa 1870

Sewing Egg / Sewing Kit in Mother-of-Pearl and Gilded Bronze

Napoleon III Period – Second half of the 19th century (circa 1860–1880)

A rare and charming egg-shaped sewing kit, crafted from natural mother-of-pearl with sumptuous iridescent sheen, set in an elegant frame of finely chiseled and gilded bronze.
This refined object reflects the Second Empire’s taste for luxury accessories intended for ladies’ needlework.

Resting on a circular base of white alabaster accented by a delicate twisted frieze in gilded bronze, the egg is encircled by a beaded frame and topped with an openwork handle adorned with a stylized acanthus leaf, which allows it to be opened.

The interior reveals an ingenious swivel tray holding the original accessories intended for needlework:

• a gilded metal thimble,
• a cut-glass perfume or smelling salts bottle with a gilded stopper,
• a needle holder,
• a punch with a gilded bronze handle,
• a finely decorated needle case.

The set is remarkably well-preserved and displays a beautiful harmony among the noble materials: the pearly softness of the shells, the warm luster of the gilding, and the elegant simplicity of the alabaster.
Depending on the light, the shimmering reflections of the mother-of-pearl reveal delicate shades of pink, green, and gold that enhance the precious nature of this piece.

An iconic piece among the high-quality sewing kits produced during the Second Empire, this example will appeal to collectors of objets d’art as well as connoisseurs of refined curiosities and 19th-century decorative art.

Period: Napoleon III, circa 1860–1880
Origin: France
Materials: natural mother-of-pearl, chiseled and gilded bronze, alabaster, crystal
Condition: In very fine condition with its original interior lining. Very slight wear consistent with its age.

Our egg measures 17.5 cm in height,
The base measures 9.7 cm by 7 cm