158 - TOILET KIT PRESENTED BY EMPEROR NAPOLEON III ON AUGUST 8, 1858.

TOILET KIT PRESENTED BY EMPEROR NAPOLEON III ON AUGUST 8, 1858. Made of mahogany. Cartouche, reinforcing borders, miter, and lock plate inlaid with brass. When opened, it contains: -in the lid: a mirror (chipped), followed by four cut-glass vials—two round and two faceted—with silver-plated lids and stoppers featuring repoussé decoration of foliage scrolls. -in the bottom compartment: three rectangular boxes of different sizes, lined with tinplate on the inside. -on top: an inkwell, a toothbrush case, and a round box. These three glass items have lids and stoppers made of Silver plated metal, all decorated in a matching style. And assorted accessories: a boot hook, a mechanical pencil, a letter opener, a corkscrew, a nail clipper, two needle cases, and a blade holder. And a pair of scissors. 26 x 20 x H 13 cm. With a certificate of provenance: “August 8, 1858. Napoleon III, accompanied by Empress Eugénie, traveled from Cherbourg to Brest aboard the ship *Bretagne*, then commanded by Admiral Bouvet. This toiletries case was given by Napoleon III himself to an elderly uncle named Jullou, a relative of my mother’s, during his trip to Brest, to thank him for having transported on board his ship (…) at his own expense to Brest several … peasants from southern Finistère so that the Empress and the Emperor could get to know the beautiful … people of southern Finistère. ” Provenance: Jean-Denis Serena Collection