Antique c.1780 Ivory Needle Case, Etui, Gold Trim and D'Amite Under Rock Crystal Panel, Palais Royal
You know the kind of fabulous c.1750-1800 sewing box, necessaire, compendium from which this elaborately decorated needle case survives. These needle cases are found in sewing sets from small portable pocket styles to the large layered and expansive travel chests filled with layers of vanity, sewing and even eating utensils. The type you see here, with its 18k gold collar and gold foil- backed rock crystal insets which say D'Amite (Friendship) were entirely hand made and would have matched other pieces in the sets. It is generally accepted that most, if not all, of these sets originally were sold to elite patrons who enjoyed the leisure purrsuits of the truly wealthy offered up within the walls of the old Palais Royal of Paris. Formerly the palace of Cardinal Richelieu, it became from 1700s onward, a center for theatre, fine restaurants and a promenade of notable luxury purveyors the likes of which could not be found elsewhere. Those shops would offer up the very b