Palais Royale Workbox and Music box
Name/Title
Palais Royale Workbox and Music boxEntry/Object ID
1998.1.1Tags
Mother-of-pearl, Needlework tools, Scissors, Sewing box, Sewing tools, Stiletto, Tape measure, Thimble, Thread winder, Palais Royale, Music boxDescription
The domed case with hinged lid and waisted body decorated with applied metal decoration and hoop handle opening to a mirrored back and fitted interior with various sewing implements and tools of gilt metal and mother-of-pearl, fitted with an Etouffors en Acier music box playing four tunesUse
To keep needlework tools safe and listen to music while stitchingContext
In the early 18th century, European workboxes were decorative and elaborate objects with mother-of-pearl, ivory, gold or brass fittings. Boxes had lift-out trays lined with velvet or satin with receptacles formed for specific tools (thimbles, scissors, and bodkins, for example.) Fancy boxes, such as those collected by the Popes, were for the “genteel” class who did needlework as a social activity. Many thimbles and sewing tools were made of precious metals, and were given as gifts. Based on society rules, young men couldn’t give their sweethearts personal gifts (such as clothing or jewelry), so in addition to flowers, books or sweets, sewing tools were considered acceptable gifts. Wood with light golden tortoise shell covering, edged in ivory trim interior with 12 compartments, lined in ivory silk tools bear the enamel pansy motif of the Palais Royal. In the 18th century, Louis d’Orleans rebuilt a wing of the royal palace as an arcade of shops and restaurants, and renamed the building from Palais Cardinal to Palais Royal. Palais Royal shop artisans of the 1780s sold the best quality products, and the area became the place to be seen. The most prestigious of the Palais Royal sewing boxes are those with an enamel pansy motif on the tools. The pansy is French “pensee”, meaning “think of me”.Collection
ERS Needlework Tools and BoxesCategory
Needlework tools