From our collectables, we are delighted to offer this French Palais-Royal ormolu mounted mother of pearl notebook. The notebook in exceptional condition beautifully crafted with twin cherubs to the front holding a ribbon with souvenir written across it. The binding with draped flowers matching the boarder of the notebook. To the opening an interlocking metalwork holds the original gilt pencil when removed allows the notebook to open. Inside the notebook the front and rear pages with small pockets with a title page. Within the pages reveals 12 specific calendar months with a dated calendar insert for 1822.
Palais Royal is the collective name of objects that were sold within a Palace in Paris. Originally it was built for Cardinal Richelieu in 1629 and was originally named Palais Cardinal but after the death of Richelieu it was inherited by King Louis XIII and was named Palais Royal. The palace was later bequeathed to Philippe d’Orléans, a cousin of Louis XVI and in 1781, Philippe d’Orléans, on the verge of financial ruin, decided to subdivide the Palais Royal Garden, which until then had been free of any dwelling. Construction took five years, after which 90 merchants moved in. The area was a popular place for loiterers, betters, pickpockets, and prostitutes. When the revolution ended in 1799 the Palais Royal was refurbished again by Napoleon Bonaparte when he became Emperor in 1804 and it housed galleries and shops selling high quality luxury wares such as this notebook above. It again fell into disrepair when gambling was banned in 1838 but restored in the 1870’s. Due to this there are very few if any pearl Palais Royal objects crafted after 1840.
Mother of pearl is an organic–inorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer. It is the same material that natural pearls are made from and is desirable due to its strong and resilient makeup along with its beautiful iridescent shimmer.
Measurements (centimetres) 10cm High x 7cm Wide x 1.3cm Deep
Would make an ideal gift for the writing enthusiast or London historian.
Item has lever action hidden compartment.
Has an oval front brass plaque ideal for engraving a message if the item is a gift.
Comes with the original heavy metal topped inkwells and notepad, modern quill and stand.Other items are shown for illustrative purposes.
Alderman John Joseph Mechi (1802–1880) was a silversmith, banker, inventor and Alderman of the City of London. He experimented with new farming methods on his estate at Tiptree in Essex.
Mechi was born in London 22 May 1802, the third son of Giacomo Mechi, a citizen of Bologna, who had settled in England early in life, was naturalised, and obtained a post at Kensington Palace in the household of George III. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of J. Beyer of Poland Street, London. John at the age of sixteen was placed as a clerk in a house in Walbrook, trading with Newfoundland, a job he had for ten years. In 1828 he set up on his own account as a cutler in a small workshop at 130 Leadenhall Street, from where he removed to No. 4 in the same street in 1830. Between 1830 and 1840 he made his fortune through the ‘magic razor strop’ which bears his name After the Crimean war and a fashion for beards, sales declined. On 10 November 1840 he took out a patent for ‘improvements in apparatus to be applied to lamps in order to carry off heat and the products of consumption’. This was for the external shop-window lamps. From 1859 to 1869 he was in partnership with Charles Bazan, and then gave up his city business and moved to 112, Regent Street.
Features a blank brass front shield ideal for engraving
This writing slope comes befit with various accessories:
Two Glass inkwells
One vintage Ink Pen
One modern notebook
Items might slightly differ from what’s depicted in the images
Antique lap desks had hinged writing surfaces, often covered in leather, felt, or other material, that flip up to reveal storage space for papers. Individual compartments were designed to hold inkwells, pens, sealing wax, and other contemporary writing materials. Some desks also had concealed storage compartments.
We try our best to send a key with every slope. Either an original, or a new made by the locksmith.
A rare Thompson lock with attractive stamped escutcheon with coat of arms.
The top and front have been decorated with brass inlay and brass reinforcing edges and corners.
Inside there are secret drawers concealed beneath the writing surface.
The glass ink bottles are original to the item with red leather tooled interior.
This writing slope comes with original “Tompson” lock.
Will be sent with a vintage writing pen, silver propelling pencil, gold key swing tag and a modern notepad and 2 x antique inkwells.
Items might differ from what’s depicted.
Item will include new notepad pad, Quill pen (modern), and one single glass inkwell and Ink Pen.
Antique lap desks had hinged writing surfaces, often covered in leather, felt, or other material, that flip up to reveal storage space for papers. Individual compartments were designed to hold inkwells, pens, sealing wax, and other contemporary writing materials. Some desks also had concealed storage compartments.
Items might differ from what’s depicted.
We try our best to send a key with every slope.
Either an original, or a new one by the locksmith.
There are occasions when the locksmith cannot make working keys, in the case of Bramah Locks. (Only made for each individual lock)