Wallet With Embroidery And Napoleon III Monogram

- Large flat wallet, covered in richly embroidered dark velvet with, in its center, the monogram of Napoleon III.

The interior has a mail folder with several bright purple silk pockets. The first cover is covered in dark velvet serving as a background for an embroidery decoration. In the center, Napoleon's monogram, the letter "N" embroidered with gold thread, topped with a crown and both applied to a purple velvet in the shape of an octagonal cartouche. Around the latter, a wide border takes up the octagonal shape where delicate flowers embroidered in nature develop on a cream background. This border is surrounded by braids filled with gold thread embroidery. The surroundings are decorated with scrolls sheltering ornaments (shells) and plants (tendrils and bunches of grapes, reeds).

- These embroideries, meticulously executed, give refinement and preciousness to this work. They highlight different embroidery techniques (running stitches, stem stitches, couching, twisted gold thread, etc.) and materials used (colored silk threads, gold threads). In addition, the juxtaposition of velvets (deep, muted tones) with delicate embroidery (bright, golden tones) provides a shimmering contrast, making the composition all the more harmonious and clearer.

- Dimensions: width: 30.5 cm; height: 39.5 cm; thickness: 1.2 cm

- Used condition, period: second half of the 19th century.