180 - THE KEYS OF MARIE-CAROLINE DE BOURBON-SICILES, DUCHESS OF BERRY

THE KEYS OF MARIE-CAROLINE DE BOURBON-SICILES, DUCHESS OF BERRY An exceptional set of four steel keys, hinged to fold open, with circular heads joined together and engraved with intertwined garlands featuring fleurs-de-lis and the sequence of numbers “1–2–3–4,” chiseled in the center of the intertwined “MC” monogram beneath the fleur-de-lis crown of Marie-Caroline, Duchess of Berry; each key has a different blade. In its green morocco-leather case, the hinged lid is stamped with the intertwined initials “MC” beneath the crown of Marie-Caroline de Bourbon-Siciles (1798–1870), Princess of Royal Blood and Duchess of Berry, in gold lettering. Very fine condition. Restoration period. L. 12.7 cm. Provenance - Marie-Caroline of Bourbon-Siciles, Duchess of Berry (1798–1870). Probably the keys to the Château de Rosny. - Passed down to her great-grandson, Prince Elie de Bourbon, 10th Duke of Parma (1880–1959). - Then to her second-youngest daughter, Princess Marie-Christine of Bourbon-Parma (1925–2009). - Sotheby’s London auction, “Noblesse Oblige,” April 14, 2011, lot 215 (part of lot 215). - Sotheby’s Paris auction, Hubert Guerrand-Hermès Collection, “Around the Duchess of Berry,” December 15, 2023 (part of lot 610).