Antique Nécessaire de Voyage Dressing Case in Ebony with Floral Brass Inlay by Aucoc Ainé à Paris
Ref DL100
SOLD
This French antique 'Nécessaire de Voyage' dressing case was manufactured and retailed during the 1850's by Jean-Baptiste Casimir Aucoc and his son, Louis Aucoc Ainé. The box is veneered in figured Ebony, edged in brass, with ornate recessed brass side handles. The top and front of the box have been inlaid with a brass perimeter border of delicately engraved floral decoration. The central monogram bears the initials of 'J.E' beneath a crest of a perched owl wearing a ducal coronet.
The interior, lined in burgundy leather and matching velvet, contains eleven cut glass bottles and jars with engraved and engine turned silver lids, as well as a silver kettle and stand. Stowed within the kettle housing is a matching sliver beaker, spirit burner and leather-bound wadding container. A tortoiseshell and silver handle for the kettle is fitted in the rear compartment of the box. The .950 hallmarked silver pieces are stamped 'Aucoc Ainé' along with 'C.A', signifying the silversmith Jean-Baptiste Casimir Aucoc.
Underneath the top tray of bottles and jars, sit a vanity and sewing tool tray, a smaller holding tray for the sewing Etui set, and an unfolding leather-bound pin, needle and thread case. The vanity tool tray is fitted with sixteen tortoiseshell and steel handled items to include a large penknife, button hook, a pair of tweezers, tooth pick, three pairs of scissors, nail buffer with two fold out cuticle tools, perfume bottle corkscrew, silver thimble, nail file, ribbon threader, stiletto, napkin hook, four bladed penknife and dental scraper.
The solid Ivory Etui set comprises a silver-gilt handled stiletto, ribbon threader, thimble, pair of scissors and needle case, all sharing a distinctive tree branch design. The spring catch of Etui casing is marked with 'Aucoc - Paris'
Two further trays are contained within the lower level of the box; one fitted with a silver lidded travelling inkwell and matchbox/ match striker set, and the other, with a tortoiseshell letter opener, agate handled wax seal stamp and a silver combined retractable pencil and fountain pen. Also fitted within the lower level of the box are a pair of hair curling irons and a tortoiseshell shoe horn.
A removable brass inlaid Rosewood easel mirror is stowed within the lid section. The mirror is backed in solid Mahogany with a hinged fold-out brass stand and brass hanging ring.
The box has been fitted with a Chubb Detector lock, with the lock plate engraved with 'Aucoc Ainé à Paris'. ... Read More
The interior, lined in burgundy leather and matching velvet, contains eleven cut glass bottles and jars with engraved and engine turned silver lids, as well as a silver kettle and stand. Stowed within the kettle housing is a matching sliver beaker, spirit burner and leather-bound wadding container. A tortoiseshell and silver handle for the kettle is fitted in the rear compartment of the box. The .950 hallmarked silver pieces are stamped 'Aucoc Ainé' along with 'C.A', signifying the silversmith Jean-Baptiste Casimir Aucoc.
Underneath the top tray of bottles and jars, sit a vanity and sewing tool tray, a smaller holding tray for the sewing Etui set, and an unfolding leather-bound pin, needle and thread case. The vanity tool tray is fitted with sixteen tortoiseshell and steel handled items to include a large penknife, button hook, a pair of tweezers, tooth pick, three pairs of scissors, nail buffer with two fold out cuticle tools, perfume bottle corkscrew, silver thimble, nail file, ribbon threader, stiletto, napkin hook, four bladed penknife and dental scraper.
The solid Ivory Etui set comprises a silver-gilt handled stiletto, ribbon threader, thimble, pair of scissors and needle case, all sharing a distinctive tree branch design. The spring catch of Etui casing is marked with 'Aucoc - Paris'
Two further trays are contained within the lower level of the box; one fitted with a silver lidded travelling inkwell and matchbox/ match striker set, and the other, with a tortoiseshell letter opener, agate handled wax seal stamp and a silver combined retractable pencil and fountain pen. Also fitted within the lower level of the box are a pair of hair curling irons and a tortoiseshell shoe horn.
A removable brass inlaid Rosewood easel mirror is stowed within the lid section. The mirror is backed in solid Mahogany with a hinged fold-out brass stand and brass hanging ring.
The box has been fitted with a Chubb Detector lock, with the lock plate engraved with 'Aucoc Ainé à Paris'. ... Read More
- Width: 35.8 cm / 14 inches
- Depth: 25.8 cm / 10.25 inches
- Height: 16.9 cm / 6.75 inches
