This crystal and vermeil travel kit by Aucoc ended its journey with a preemption by the Château of Chantilly.
Louis Aucoc "the Elder", c.1850, travel kit for the Duchesse d'Aumale, containing 27 crystal and vermeil toiletry items, total gross weight 3.38 kg/7.5 lbs.
Result: €12,236
Through support from the Luxembourg foundation La Marck, the Château of Chantilly was able to preempt the Duchesse d'Aumale's travel kit for €12,236. Containing 27 pieces in crystal and vermeil bearing the arms of the houses of Orleans and Bourbon-Siciles, this set tells the story of the union of two great European princely families.
Before becoming Duchesse d'Aumale (1822-1869) through her marriage in 1844 to Prince Henri d'Orléans (1822-1897), Marie-Caroline was born Princess of Bourbon-Siciles. Her husband was not merely the fifth son of French King Louis-Philippe: he was also a remarkable collector. When he was 8, he inherited the estate of Chantilly and thereby the immense fortune of his godfather, the last Prince de Condé. He turned it into an impressive showcase, notably by having his recently restored private apartments decorated by Eugène Lami. It is only fitting that this toiletry set should join his august residence. It was made around 1850 by Louis Aucoc the Elder, a goldsmith who ran the family business from 1850 to the mid-1870s. During this period, the company became the official supplier to the leading European courts.
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