French Palais-Royal Notebook Charles X

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