An exceptionally scarce 19th-century French ormolu (gilded metal) and thickly beveled glass vanity casket.
 
It has a rarely seen configuration, designed to display and store Madame's beautiful jewellery. Flanking the elegantly aged, foxed oval mirror are two original curled side hooks designed to gracefully drape a pair of drop earrings, other pieces can be displayed inside the casket.
 
We delve into history as we investigate the image under the thick glass of the lid. It is of a favoured Grand Tour starting point in Boulogne sur Mer,  a reverse-print of the historic and picturesquely ruined city entrance gate -  Porte des Dunes which stands on the banks of the English channel and would have literally been the starting point of a Grand Tour.
 
Opening the casket reveals the original buttoned  satin cushion in remarkably good condition, a delicately faded crimson to soft pink.
 
A highly collectible and beautifully functional showpiece that effortlessly bridges historical Grand Tour charm with adding French sophisticated to your jewellery collection.
 
It stands just over 7"  (18cm) tall and the casket is 4" or 10cm wide and 2" (5cm) deep.