Exceptional small wallet that once belonged... - Lot 126 - Thierry de Maigret

Lot 126
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Estimation :
20000 - 30000 EUR
Exceptional small wallet that once belonged... - Lot 126 - Thierry de Maigret
Exceptional small wallet that once belonged to Marie-Antoinette. In red morocco, the first flap has a steel clasp with Marie-Antoinette's number: "M A" surmounted by the royal crown, the underside is trimmed with green morocco and has a loop for a small pencil (missing). Once opened, it has two red morocco pockets, one at the bottom with two gussets of green silk; the upper one, with an engraved steel combination lock whose part on the flap is oval, with the double coat of arms of Marie-Antoinette Queen of France surmounted by the royal crown, the part of the lock on the pocket is a combination lock, rectangular, made of steel, engraved with foliage, with a circular dial engraved from 1 to 60, in the centre a gilded metal disc engraved from 1 to 12 and carries two iron picots to facilitate rotation ; in the middle of this circle, another smaller disc in gilded brass, with, in the centre, a small round iron piece decorated with a fleur-de-lis, the point of which serves as a needle to indicate the correct graduation; this piece is pierced with two small holes for rotation; the alignment of these two dials provides the opening combination. This small wallet is completed with a special small tool, forming a key, in blued steel, used to turn the two discs. Dimensions, closed 9 x 13.5 cm, open 23.5 x 13.5 cm. It is presented in a wooden case, covered with red velvet and lined with red silk on the inside (the green silk gussets of the two wallets have partly disappeared; slight accident to the leather of the first flap, left of the number; 19th century case). The combination probably corresponds to an hour. This small wallet is a rare testimony of the Queen's intimate life; designed to store and carry her private notes and documents. Louis XVI period. Good condition. PROVENANCE: former private collection, in Great Britain. This wallet is comparable to the one that belonged to Louis XVI, in red morocco, gilded with irons, with also a combination lock, sold at Dro
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