Description

An important small silver and steel nécessaire, France, Paris, circa 1620-1630.

A pair of scissors, two knives, and an awl, made of silver and steel with decorative elements of three naked archers clearly evoking the South American continent, are preserved in a shaped case decorated with small stamp in shape of fleurs-de-lis.

The purpose of these small portable kits is not clearly defined: embroidery? minor surgery? multipurpose?

This kit and its four instruments, in a rare and perfect condition, are part of a series of which other examples with the same type of engravings on the silver handles can be found: Louvres, numero OA 522, former Sauvageot collection (with only a pair of scissors, an awl, and a penknife), or the 2012 Nessi sale at Koller, lot 570 (incomplete with the pair of scissors).

Certainly one of the finest examples known to exist in private hands. An exquisite set.

Total height: 10.8 cm