RG Weekender Booklet_PROOF.pdf

Dressing Cases

A SUPERB TRAVELLING CASE BY AUCOCCirca 1850Stock Number: RM0838/814Height: 16.75 ins / 42.55 cmsWidth: 20 ins / 50.8 cmsDepth: 15 ins / 38.1 cmsPrice: £69500This superb brass-bound travelling case is inland with vines, trellisand a European armorial flanked by angels. It opens to reveal ared velvet interior with a selection of 15 faceted glass containers,all with incised and chased silver gilt lids and also a chocolatemakingset. There is a bradawl and turning key with two integralscrews for attaching the whole case to a tilting surface whentravelling. Beneath the two corner jars are the glass drip pans forthe candlesticks protected by velvet pads. A porcelain cup nestlesunder a further pot.The central removable tray covers a pad with eighteenvarious manicure implements with tortoiseshell handles. In thecompartment beneath are two ink bottles, two candlesticks, apocket watch/ bedside clock, a porcelain saucer, letter-writingaccessories and the keys to the case. Below is a collection of fiveboxes holding brushes, combs, matches, a shoe horn and a pairof hair pinchers. This final section lifts out to give access to threesecret drawers. The inside of the lid is fitted with an arched silvergilt easel mirror behind a velvet and silk document wallet whichcontains a leather blotting paper case. The entire ensemble isdecorated with the same motifs and armorial as the outer box,with scrolling acanthus leaves on a turned ground within leafwrapped reed borders. Inscribed Aucoc ainé à Paris.The fact that this case comes complete with its original outerleather carrying case and is equipped with candles, a chocolatemakingset, porcelain cup and saucer and the mechanismfor holding it steady in transit, provides proof that this was atravelling case of considerable luxury rather than a vanity ordressing case.Page 2Visit our website by clicking here www.richardgardnerantiques.co.uk

Richard Gardner Antiques | Some Of The Finest Antiques in The World | Dressing Cases Page 3

Contents• 15 cut glass containers with incised silver gilt lids, a matchingcanister and beaker• A chocolate pot with a stand, heater and covered water pot• 18 implements for sewing, manicure and dressing• Two candlesticks with glass dip pans• A porcelain cup and saucer• A silver gilt bell• A leather needle case• A pocket or bedside watch• 5 leather boxes of tortoiseshell brushes• A tortoiseshell shoe horn and hair tongs• An extensive set of letter writing accessories• The original cloth protective outer carrying case• A silver gilt easel mirror within a pointed arched frameProvenanceFrom a private collection.Louis Aucoc founded his silver-smithing business at 154 rue St. Honoré, Paris in 1821.By 1835 he had moved to 6, rue de la Paix, the most fashionable road in Paris and hometo all the great jewellery houses. In 1854 Louis retired and his son, also named Louis,took over the business. He added jewellery manufacturing to their lines of silverware,engaged René Lalique and purchased the Maison Lobjois, consolidating the business underthe name of La Maison Aucoc. They participated in all the major business internationalexhibitions, contributing chased gold Art Nouveau jewellery and Lalique pieces.Page 4Visit our website by clicking here www.richardgardnerantiques.co.uk

Richard Gardner Antiques | Some Of The Finest Antiques in The World | Dressing Cases Page 5