Necessary Ball Preciously Orfèvré Napoleon III Period.

Coiled in a box forming a case sheathed in black leather with edges underlined with gilded braids with small irons, this delightful Necessaire for a Girl's Ball presents on a background of garnet moire silk two precious objects-jewels, namely a Ball Book to which is associated with a Wallet menu. Made of flamed brown tortoiseshell, each piece features on its upper plate a delicate decoration of floral wreaths and grasses studded with gold and silver; their reverse is centered with a silver shield with the interlaced monogram of "AD". Opening with a push-button clasp and articulated by hinges, the first reveals a compartmentalized interior with an intermediate ivory tablet fitted with its stylus.; the second a gusseted interior lined with blue moire silk. Work from the second half of the 19th century executed by the Maison d'orfèvrerie Moullot in Marseille. Circa 1870. Struck in gold letters in the name of Moullot, manufacturer-goldsmith located in Marseille, this charming box sheathed in black leather laced on its rectangular shape with rounded corners of listellos with motifs in scrollwork friezes covered with fleurons, stylized flowers reveals, once its press button is released, an attractive Necessaire de Bal de fille. As delicate as it is sophisticated, this one, encased in cells set with folds of garnet moiré silk, is made up of two jewelery objects intended to complete the worldly adornment of any elegant woman of centuries fond of enchanting festivities: a Notebook of Ball associated with its Coin Purse menu. Carefully crafted, each piece of this Necessaire is wrapped around its body in flamed brown tortoiseshell. Illuminating its warm chromatic harmony, a precious gold and silver decoration with motifs of sheaves of flowers and encrusted grass follows the supplely rounded shape of their upper plate: within its airy floral compositions with slender foliage punctuated by twisted stalks, flowers, bells of Lily of the Valley, Pansies, Carnations, ..-symbols of virginal beauty, of affections, of ardor pour out their diaphanous or purple blooms. On their reverse, centered, a silver shield is haloed with a monogram with the intertwined initials "AD", the number of the happy young girl who holds this refined kit. Articulated by a double hinge, the Carnet de Bal, fitted with a push-button clasp, reveals two "receptacle" compartments inside - one for the sheets of the daily diary, the other for business cards - separated by a ivory tablet accosted on its edge by a tapered mechanical pencil stylus. Equipped with a single hinge, the Wallet lined with a blue silk moire fabric has three gusseted compartments, one of which is intended to contain gold coins. Far from depreciating this Necessaire with a charming destination, the tiny wear noted on its objects testifies to its happy use by its owner: also, one can only imagine it writing on its ivory tablet, according to Balls rustling from the whirling beautifully embellished fabrics, the name of its riders. From the "graceful thoughts" then exchanged, this Necessaire de Bal retains their ephemeral secrets. Nowadays Objects of Showcase, these precious Necessaires de Bal revive-like glove boxes, hand screens, fans "uncovering charming smiles-the memory of an amiable art of living which, until the beginning of the 20th century rhymed with playful femininity.The words of Delphine de Girardin (1804-1855) remain just as timeless: "The age when we dance, but when we dare not waltz, is spring. The age when we dance and waltz is Summer. The age when we still dance but prefer to waltz is Autumn. Finally, the age when we dance the most is Winter...the very harsh winter of life" (1836). Materials: black leather gilded with small irons; garnet and blue moire silk fabric; Flamed brown tortoise shell; gold and silver inlays. Dimensions: Casket: H.: 4.5 cm; -L.: 14 cm; D.: 16.5 cm. Carnet de Bal: H.: 2 cm; L.: 8cm; D.: 12 cm (closed) -Open: L.: 14.5 cm. - Coin Purse: H.: 2 cm; L.: 7.5 cm. D.: 5 cm .