BIENNAIS Rare travel kit in mahogany. Brass trim:... Lot 234

BIENNAIS Rare travel kit in mahogany. Brass trim: the lid lined with a quarter ring, a central shield engraved J(?)P and a frieze of alternating lozenges and lozenges, between two fillets; the lower edge of the lid and the upper edge of the body lined with a wide brass band, which continues in the center by a large shield cut out presenting the entrance of lock. On the sides, two recessed handles following the curve of the body, appearing in a brass cut-out. The lower part of the body decorated with two inlaid brass nets crossing each other, the base also set with a small quarter round. Signed on the lock "Biennais md Tabletier Ebeniste, au Singe violet, rue Saint Honoré n°511". With its cloverleaf key. In addition to the easel mirror frame included in the lid, it has three interlocking tiers. H. 17,2 cm - W. 33,2 cm - D. 21,4 cm Some fillets detached or missing, as well as a part of the quarter round of the base and some missing accessories. BL The modest tablemaker of 510 rue Saint Honoré, received a master's degree in tablettery in 1788, became in addition (Law Le Chapelier 1791) goldsmith. The success coming, he opens a second store at 49, store that he moves to 283 still of the same street, with the famous sign of the "Violet Monkey". A benefit, even on credit, is never lost, and he provides the rather penniless First Consul with a first set of necessities. The Consul, who became Emperor, was grateful and made him his goldsmith. The support, but also the extreme quality of his achievements, in particular precisely of these necessary cases, attract to him the customers of the imperial family, the great ones of the moment (Marshal Soult duke of Dalmatie, Marshal Kellermann, Fouché duke of Otranto, and of the foreign courts (Russia, Austria, Bavaria, Wittemberg.) We have here a very beautiful and luxurious example of these boxes, particularly those of oval shape, hollowed out in the mahogany mass and comprising a maximum of objects in a minimum of space (see enumeration below). He considerably increased his staff (up to two hundred workers), but faced with his success, he subcontracted part of the elements of these kits, which is the case of the silversmith of this case: Marie Joseph Gabriel GENU, received master in 1788, retired in 1811, with whom he collaborated most of the time until 1810. Unfortunately we have not been able to identify the first owner of this box (who must have been an important and wealthy person considering the very high cost of these objects). The upper floor includes : In silver : - a covered cylindrical chocolate pot with a straight screw handle, the lid with a doucine bordered by a frieze of palmettes, hallmark: Premier Coq, Paris, Master Goldsmith: Marie Joseph Gabriel GENU - a cylindrical covered cup with a flat molded handle, the lid pierced with a frieze of stars in the doucine and bordered by a frieze of palmettes, Master-Goldsmith : Marie Joseph Gabriel GENU - a second covered cup, of the same size and shape as the previous one, but the lid not pierced; - in this cup is fitted, covered with green moire, a cylindrical element in two parts, the lower one screwed, acting as a sugar bowl, Master-Goldsmith : Marie Joseph Gabriel GENU - a cylindrical element with a doucine lid, bordered by a tortoiseshell molding, used as a tea box, Master Builder : Marie Joseph Gabriel GENU - a second cylindrical element in two screwed parts, the upper one forming a travel inkwell, the lower one forming an hourglass -a chinrest, Master Goldsmith : JBP a lion standing on the left a star - two pairs of cut crystal bottles mounted in gilt (no hallmark), engraved with friezes of garlands, one of the first pair bearing its original label "Eau de miel" : H. 8,1 cm (neck of one damaged with a lack) ; for the second pair : H. 8,5 cm (one without an inner stopper and with a small chip in the neck) - three cylindrical elements in ebony: one with a screwed lid releasing a stem of three thread reels, and a turned knob closing a needle holder (?), L. 7,1 cm, Diam. 2,1 cm; and two small covered cylindrical cases, L. 6,3 cm -an 800°/°°° vermeil eye bath in two screwed parts, the lower one forming a funnel, hallmark: Paris, Premier Coq, Master Goldsmith: IB a heart in saltire - an oval silver basin simply molded, hallmark: Premier Coq (1798-1808) In steel : - two chased steel boot pulls, a pair of scissors, a corkscrew, a glove hook and a buckle The second floor includes : - a pair of cups the flared edges in plain silver, hallmark: Premier Coq (1798-1808), master goldsmith: LFD a crescent for one, and Marie Joseph Gabriel GENU, received master in 1788, retired in 1811 for the other. Total weight : 152 g - two cutlery of