Antique Napoleon III French Sterling Silver, Crystal Travel Vanity, Victorian Era Trousse d' Voyage, Necessaire c.1850-70
A superb bit of mid-1800s Grand Tour fittings, this is a Napoleon III era trousse de voyage, traveler's vanity valise or chest in this case. The quality is top drawer, look at the hardware at hinges, the heavy brass pencil edging and the inlaid variations of brass stringing, that bold cartouche and elegant escutcheon. I love to find these! I am a box collector of decades. I think the first antique box I bought on my own was as a grad student in London. I still have it. I didn't dream way back then that I'd have seen, owned, enjoyed the museum pieces we've had over the decades. I do love what I do! But I digress. This is a very typical Napoleon III casket, ebonized exterior, and a claret red silk moire and velvet fitted interior. The thrill is in the opening, waiting to see just what one will hold inside. These are my favorites - the layered trousse d' voyage, with all the possible necessities one might need for an extended trip, or on a dressing table at home. Vanity jars, scent or p