Antique French .800 Silver Figural Roman Lady Sewing Needle Case Etui

Antique French .800 Silver Figural Roman Lady Sewing Needle Case Etui

Size: 9 cm

Weighs 6 grams.

Antique early 19th century French .800 silver figural needle case sewing etui. Circa 1820-30. The top resembles the bust of a Roman lady. Richly detailed and finely executed, she is depicted with a veil and crowned with flowers, accented further by floral clusters and stylized acanthus. The bottom portion of the needle case is patterned with an embossed frieze of flowers with acanthus leaf. Hallmarked with the French head of the hare or rabbit. The hare head mark indicates a silver content of .800/1000 and was typically used on small items. The mark is a guarantee mark (poinçon de garantie) placed by the Bureau de Garantie de Paris and was in use from 1819-1838. Also bearing a silversmith's maker's mark, though rubbed over time.