Superb 18th c. 12K to 18k Gold Chatelaine Nécessaire, Georgian, King Louis XV to XVI era Etui, Complete
Collected over 4 decades, these 18th century pocket 'necessaire' have fascinated me and won my heart. My collection is all coming to market now, and this is one of my favorites from the collections. A superb c.1750s Chatelaine necessaire, 18k gold here and there, and a few parts like knife handle facing and case test 12k gold. I am, frankly, disinclined to scrape deeper on the case, and will offer it as heavily 12k gold plated. The gem-like etui is perfectly kept and missing nothing in its interior 'necessities'. You see the original writing stylus with 14k gold mount, a 12k gold handled pocket knife, a single leaf writing tablet with an 18k gold decorative rivet, a pair of 18k gold handled scissors, an 18k gold toothpick and ear wax spoon combination tool. I did not test the inner fitting into which they all fit, but it certainly has more the look of karat gold. In total, the etui and contents represent a true museum piece. A deep bas relief exterior gold worked in a decorative manne