Inside this leather, embossed travel case houses a sewing kit made from silver, consisting of a needle case, a pin topped by an imitation pearl, a scissor, and a bodkin. This luxurious set would have likely accompanied a lady during her travels and was not only a functional object but also a conversation piece and in this case, a sign of her interest in the Orient.
These items have all been decorated with decorations based on Chinese art and culture. The needle case even depicts a stereotypical image of a Chinese man, whose head and bottom can be removed. The bodkin and scissors are decorated with temple-like designs, which house small sitting musicians. The style in which they are fashioned is known as 'Chinoiserie', a European interpretation and imitation of Chinese and other Asian artistic traditions. The Chinoiserie style first appeared in the mid-17th Century as a response to European fascination with Asian cultures in an era in which trade with Asia was often restricted. The style gained more popularity during the 18th Century, when the trade between Europe and Asia intensified.
Chinoiserie persisted into the 19th Century, but the First Opium Wars of 1839–1842 between Britain and China disrupted international trade and created a decline of interest in Oriental art. China closed its doors to exports and imports Chinoiserie became a fashion of the past. The interest in Asian culture would reignite at the end of the 19th Century and would inspire many jewellery designers in the early 20th Century.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: the case measures 11.5 x 8 x 2 cm.
Weight: All silver items combined weigh 26.25 grams.
Age: early 19th Century, also known as the Georgian era, circa 1820s.
Material: The needle case and scissor carry French hare's head hallmarks, telling us they were made from 835 silver in Paris between 1819 and 1838.
Condition: In good antique condition with wear, consistent with their age. Please note that one of the side panels of the leather box is missing. The silver items all display signs of use. The scissor displays some old repair marks. The imitation pearl is missing parts of its nacre.
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