RARE NÉCESSAIRE DE VOYAGE PAR BIENNAIS, ATTRIBUÉ... Lot n° 202

Oval-shaped mahogany travel case with two recessed side handles following the curve of the body, inlaid with gilded brass and decorated with geometric shapes and intersecting lines, the lid edged with a quarter rush and adorned in the center with a shield engraved with the interlaced monogram "JP" attributed to Joseph Poniatowski (1763-1813), and a frieze of alternating lozenges and lozenges, between two fillets. Solid mahogany interior with several levels of travel accessories: 1) First level: Silver coins (all hallmarked with 1st cock, Paris, 1798-1809): - a covered cylindrical chocolate pot with straight screw handle, the doucine lid edged with a frieze of palmettes, silversmith: Marie Joseph Gabriel GENU, received master in 1788, retired in 1811. - a cylindrical covered cup with flat molded handle, the lid pierced with a frieze of stars in the doucine and edged with a frieze of palmettes, silversmith: Marie Joseph Gabriel GENU, received master in 1788, withdrawn in 1811. - a second covered cup, of the same size and shape as the previous one, but with an unpierced lid. - this cup is fitted with a two-part cylindrical element, the lower part screwed on, serving as a sugar bowl, goldsmith: Marie Joseph Gabriel GENU, received master in 1788, withdrawn in 1811. - a cylindrical element with a doucine lid, edged with tortoiseshell molding, serving as a tea caddy, silversmith: Marie Joseph Gabriel GENU, received master in 1788, withdrawn in 1811. - a second cylindrical element in two screwed parts, the upper one forming a travel inkwell, the lower one an hourglass. - a chinrest, silversmith: JBP a lion standing to the left a star. - two pairs of cut crystal flasks mounted in vermeil (no hallmark), engraved with garland friezes, one of the first pair bearing its original label "Eau de miel": H. 8.1 cm (neck of one damaged and missing); for the second pair: H. 8.5 cm (one without inner stopper and with a small chip in the neck). - three cylindrical ebony elements: one with a screwed lid releasing a rod of three thread reel holders, and a turned knob closing a needle holder (?), L. 7.1 cm, D. 2.1 cm; and two small covered cylindrical cases, L. 6.3 cm. - a vermeil eye bath in two screwed-together parts, the lower part forming a funnel, maker: IB un coeur en sautoir. - an oval silver basin, simply molded. In steel: two boot pulls, a pair of scissors, a corkscrew, a glove hook and a buckle. 2) Second level under the basin: - a pair of plain silver dishes with flared rims (1798-1808), maker: LFD un croissant for one, and Marie Joseph Gabriel GENU, received master in 1788, retired in 1811 for the other. Total weight: 152 g. - two vermeil table spoons (1798-1808), with filets, silversmith: Pierre Nicolas SOMME, received in 1760, struck off before September 30, 1806. - two vermeil coffee spoons (1798-1808), silversmith: Jean Antoine ALAZARD, received 1787. Total weight: 305 g. - a razor, blade marked 'Anderson London'. - another razor, with oval handle, medallion and silver tip, engraved 'Jles Guillon'. - the barrel-shaped grip. - two chased-iron handles. 3) Third level : - a small knife with ferrule, silver bolt and shield, round blade. - a silver compass, hallmarked foreign work of small guarantee, before 1809. - a vermeil toothbrush (no hallmark), edged with a double frieze. - a double-sided folding meter engraved on one side in centimeters and on the other side in inches. - a line-puller with a spare end. - a screwdriver with a wooden handle. - two turned scrapers. - an ear pick with three folding toothpicks at one end. - a whetstone in its red morocco case with small iron and silver medallion, signed "Biennais au singe violet". - a small tortoiseshell penknife with two blades and steel tip. - a pair of vermeil tweezers (no hallmark). - a vermeil belt hook (1798-1808), silversmith IB, L. 4.4 cm. - a tongue-lifter. 4) Bottom tray: thanks to a secret mechanism, a final concealed space opens by partially unscrewing the hinge to store 20 and 50 franc coins, bills or letters (unfortunately empty). 5) A mirror (glass missing) is embedded in the lid, and can be used either on its easel or suspended from a movable ring. Very good condition, some accessories missing or replaced. With its cloverleaf key. First Empire period, before 1809. 1st cock hallmark for Paris, 1798-1809. By Martin-Guillaume BIENNAIS (1764-1843), Au Singe Violet, Paris. Signature on the tranc