Empire period officer's casket, goldsmith Pierre Noël Blaquière.

Magnificent Yew Burl Box, with brass protective corners and edges. An elegant and sturdy travel case for officers.

Upon opening, it reveals great refinement. Under the lid is a beautiful leather-covered mirror, which, when removed, reveals a bellows-style document holder.

Inside the box, we find bottles, ointment pots, inkwells, boot snifters, corkscrews, eyewash, a salt and perfume bottle, a leather-covered crystal and porcelain glass. Two rosewood boxes, one containing a shaving brush.

In the central section, a first tier contains two silver- and tortoiseshell-mounted razors, scissors, a penknife, a Swiss army knife, a double hook, and tweezers. A second tier features exquisitely refined utensils: a silver-mounted brush, a rosewood needle holder with two under glasses, a folding ruler, a tortoiseshell bookmark, a toothpick, a 2-in-1 fountain pen and pencil. The third tier contains a leather-covered sharpener and two empty compartments.

Its three tiers fit neatly into a solid silver basin. Beneath this basin are two compartments, one of which opens with a secret button.

The lids, stoppers, eye wash bowl, and basin are made of silver. Hallmarked by the silversmith Pierre-Noël Blaquière. Paris, circa 1781 – July 5, 1849, he was a silversmith and upholsterer, established at 174 rue Saint-Honoré. Specializing in travel kits and mounted objects, he supplied an exceptional clientele with luxury items.

Gross weight of silver: 222g

Box dimensions: 20 x 32.5 cm, height 10cm

Notes:

The Use of Yew under the Empire:

"During the Empire, due to the continental blockade, yew wood enjoyed great popularity. Pierre-Philippe Thomire, Martin-Guillaume Biennais, François-Honoré Jacob Desmalter, and especially Adam Weisweiler promoted it." Source: "The Essence of Wood," Heritage Edition

Ref: DPH0VM7K0U