19th Century Blackened Wood Vanity, Sewing or Writing Box with Gilt Implements
Date: 19th Century
PRICE: SOLD
Dimensions: H 10cm W 24cm D 18cm
Shipping: $100
Victorian blackened wood and brass initialed vanity, sewing or writing box, the lid interior mounted with a mirror and blue silk 'curtains' like a theatre, a painted blue and blue velvet-clad tray with bone and gilt implements like bone bobbins and gilt punchers, scissors (marked LEPINE), needle holder, thimble and glass inkwells.
A work of extraordinary craftsmanship, this exquisite little vanity case is as much an item of luxury as it is of necessity. Known as a nécessaire de voyage. As travel became more and more fashionable in the 18th and 19th centuries, vanity sets such as this evolved into highly personalised symbols of wealth among young men and women. Containing everything from toiletries and jewellery to sewing and writing instruments, nécessaires provided a convenient means of transporting the personal necessities of everyday life.
Today, these cases are a charming reminder of a bygone age of traveling in luxury.
For all inquiries and shipping quotes send me an email on: zuskorsten@gmail.com
