Art Deco (7) Piece Celluloid Vanity "Necessaire" Grooming Set. C. 1930

Art Deco ladies traveling necessaire ensemble consisting of 13 implements for grooming, contained in a hard cardboard green branch decorated traveling case. The grooming implements a...

Outstanding and rare early 19th century Mason's Ironstone (6) piece set consisting of toilet necessities as follows: Large oversized highly decorated pitcher and bowl for storing water and wash basin Pair of chamber pots for evening needs Similarly decorated toothbrush holder, large enough for multiple users Soap dish with removable strainer dish The fact that this rare ensemble has survived intact with no damage for nearly two hundred years is remarkable. It would have been an item owned and cherished by the aristocracy. and enjoyed as an art form because of it's high quality manufacture, in addition to the elaborate and detailed decoration. Also of note is the 8 sided octagonal form of each of the six items (see images). Please observe the elaborate serpent or snake formed handles to the large pitcher and both of the chamber pots (see images). Also worth mentioning is the attention the interior of the bowl receives, with as much decoration applied as the exterior (see image). The interior upper perimeters of all of the items receive the same amount of attention. The pitcher and bowl combination is larger than most that were manufactured during that period, (16" diameter) made possible by the strength of the ironstone. The Mason's mark underneath the items indicates a 1830s manufacture, with the "Mason's Patent Ironstone China" above and beneath the crown in blue. The ironstone process was patented by Charles Mason...

Very rare and hard to find in this complete condition with as many pieces (over 35), this "Gentleman's Necessaire", or campaign "Dressing Table Box" is English and circa 1795 as per the style, and confirmed by the 18th century silver marks on items enclosed. Campaign furniture, and accessories were made to tend to the day to day needs of those traveling, most often for the upper class, the military, and those in high socioeconomic standing. A very similar Campaign box belonging to the Duke of Wellington and now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, appears on page 141 (illustration #157 of "British Campaign Furniture" published in 2001 by Nicholas A. Brawer; the leading recognized historian on the subject. The furniture and accessories were designed to be easily unpacked and packed back up again, condensed and compact for minimum storage, and still fulfill luxury "needs" for the well to do. The flush inserted brass handles on this box were designed to minimize protrusions for easier transport when traveling. The necessaire contains a plethora of instruments, utensils, storage bottles, boxes, to contain pills, medicine, potions, soap, shaving needs, snuff, beverages, spirits, tea, coffee, fragrance, incense, toothpaste, ink, and anything else necessary or wanted to maintain appearance and the "Beau Brummell" type lifestyle desired by the aristocratic gentleman. These items were housed in; screw top miniature bone canisters, fine cut glass crystal vessels with silver and silver plated tops, multiple miniature vertical wooden pocket drawers, a carved wooden lidded soap dish; all "fitted" in a beautiful brass bound and hinged mahogany box. The dressing box is neatly divided into various sections to store these implements. The center front bottom drawer is independently accessed and opened by a key lock and likely utilized for personal effects, jewelry, money, and letter writing, and diary entries.; note the fitted interior, design, "cubbies", and sections (see image). NOTE: It would be advisable to NOT use the key to lock this drawer just in case it stays locked and does not reverse, thereby creating difficulty reopening the drawer. The box maintains it's original surface and there are no restorations to any of the wood or brass mounts. A non discernible script monogram on a brass plate adorns the top (see image). Worth noting is the copious provenance accompanying this piece; the original description tag from the British antiques dealer; the "condfdential" letter by purchaser to recipient "Horace" reviewing the Dressing Box attributes and description; and finally, the Customs form for entry into the United States with Santa Barbara it's ultimate destination and a valuation of 3 pounds; less than ten dollars at that time---- 1950!!!!! (see images). Dimensions: 11" wide  x 8 3/4" deep  x 5 1/2" high Contents: implements in red bag sewing hook with shell handle second smaller sewing hook with built in swivel tool to bone handle large metal tweezers rectangular bone device with center hole small hook with bone handle silver plate corkscrew...

Unique Victorian table top (cheval type) swivel mirror, that would have been on top of a dresser and used by a lady as a vanity mirror to tend to her "make up" and hair; or by a gent...

This charming set of brushes and jars was once used by a well-to-do lady to store her cosmetics and maintain an elegant updo hairstyle. Also known as a toilet service...

20th-Century Vanity Set With Mirror, Hairbrush, Comb, and Clothes Brush An antique personal grooming set consisting of a comb, hairbrush, hand mirror, and clothes brush, made with b...

Three piece Art Deco vanity / dresser set which includes a hand mirror, hair brush and nail buffer by La Parfaite of France, circa 1930s. The set is made o...

Five-Piece Art Deco Sterling Silver & Faux Tortoiseshell Vanity Set, Birmingham 1923 An elegant five-piece English vanity set from the Art Deco period, crafted in sterling silver and...