French Officer’s Travel Kit, circa 1815

Officer’s travel kit. Luxurious necessary, rectangular box in Thuya burl wood, decorated on the lid with a brass escutcheon engraved with the initial “J” and reinforced at the edges at the corners. It is sheathed inside in red/burgundy morocco decorated with small iron. Behind the removable easel mirror is a letter pocket. At the ends of the box two small cut glasses with engraved silver lids. Lower part with four levels. – At the bottom: silver handle shaving brush, wooden brush, silver cap bottle and inkwell. – On the middle shelf: razor sharpener, ivory needle case, vermeil ring, corkscrew, button hook, and a pair of boot pullers. – The upper tray contains in its center an oval silver basin, containing two superimposed trays. On the sides of the basin are two razors with bone handles. On the first of the two trays contained in the basin: A mechanical pencil with a turned ivory handle, an ivory seal, an ivory tubular case with a silver-gilt ring that opens onto a small pencil on one side and a silver-gilt pen holder. the other, a silver-handled toothbrush, a bone mustache and beard brush, and a metal lead case. On the upper plate, an ivory-handled knife, a tendril, a canivet, a pair of scissors (not original), an element to be determined and an empty space. The box measures 10,03 inches long, 5,31 inches wide, and 3,62 inches high. The key is missing. Hallmark Paris 2nd rooster and hallmarks Paris “medium guarantee” clearly legible on the silver basin and on the lids of the two glasses, confirming a manufacture between 1809 and 1819. This rare set is in an excellent state of conservation and almost complete with its elements of origin. It is a fine, exceptional production, worthy of French excellence. France, Paris, circa 1815.