Antique Palais Royal French Casket Necessaire Vanity Chest By L. Dujat 19th C

This is a fine and well fitted ebonised Gonçalo Alves Palais Royal travel necessaire / vanity chest, by Maison Smal L. Dujat - Palais Royal 7 (Paris), Circa 1850 in date.

This superb vanity chest was made by L. Dujat, one of the artisans who had a workshop in the Paris street where the artisans of the Royal Palace worked, and his products were commissioned by the Court that resided in the now extinct Palais Royal.

The box features inlaid gilt banding and brass bound edges, the hinged cover opens to reveal a removable mirror, the interior with fitted silver plate mounted faceted  glass jars, the lids engraved with foliate scroll decoration,  the jars of square, circular, oval and rectangular form each sitting in shaped blue velvet recesses.

The front with brass fittings, the tops of the doors are inscribed with details of the retailer

'MAISON SMAL L. DUJAT Sr Bte SGDG PALAIS-ROYAL 7',

The number 7 is for the 7th arrondissement of Paris, which is today perhaps the most expensive area to live in Paris, the Eiffel Tower, one of the most famous tourist sites in the world, is located here, as well as many government buildings,  ministries, the National Assembly and others. Many dignitaries and VIPs today prefer to live in this arrondissement.

The doors open to reveal three trays with beautiful brass inset handles that have superb engraved foliate decoration.

The top one with a fitted blue velvet tray with manicure and other tools, to include a file, penknife, scissors, button hook, corkscrew, pen, etc, . The middle tray with shaped storage boxes of varying form, one tin lined , the bottom one velvet lined for jewellery.

Complete with working lock and original key.

It is a lovely piece which apart from its functionality is also a decorative one.

Condition:

In really excellent condition. As an antique items, the chest show very minor signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, the chest displays beautifully.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 20 x Width 35 x Depth 27

Dimensions in inches:

Height 8 inches x Width 1 foot, 2 inches x Depth 11 inches

Palais Royale

In the mid 1800s the best  souvenirs from Paris were found in the boutiques of the famed Palais Royal of Paris, which is the old palace of Cardinal Richelieu. The boutiques lined the promenade of the central gardens, and the area was host to Royals, dignitaries, the posh societies of times past. The treasures from the Palais Royal remain today some of the most sought after antiques to be found.

Gonçalo Alves is a hardwood (from the Portuguese name, Gonçalo Alves). It is sometimes referred to as tigerwood — a name that underscore the wood's often dramatic, contrasting color scheme. 

While the sapwood is very light in color, the heartwood is a sombre brown, with dark streaks that give it a unique look. The wood's color deepens with exposure and age and even the plainer-looking wood has a natural luster.

Two species are usually listed as sources for gonçalo alves: Astronium fraxinifolium and Astronium graveolens, although other species in the genus may yield similar wood; the amount of striping that is present may vary. 

In the high tropical forests of Central and South America, well-drained soils furnish nutrients for a variety of dense, durable hardwoods sought for maritime use, heavyconstruction, and furniture. The Spanish began harvesting in Latin American forests in the early 1500s to provide timber for boatbuilding and repair. By the early 1900s, however, steel ships had replaced wooden ones, and the interest in tropical forests by both Europeans and Americans shifted to appearance-grade woods for furniture.

Although history fails to provide us with a shopping list of species from either harvest period, it's probable that the wood we know today as goncalo alves has always been sought. That's because goncalo alves, considered one of the most beautiful of tropical woods, has a tough reputation, too. Strong and durable, it's used for construction in its homeland and secondarily for fine furniture. Woodworkers elsewhere treasure the wood for decorative items and veneer accents.