A French Napoleon III period blue opaline glass egg-shaped Sewing Nécessaire, circa 1870. The egg-shaped body of vibrant sky-blue opaline glass is mounted with a gilded brass frame featuring beaded borders, opening on a hinge to reveal a central gilt-metal stand with a pierced circular tray designed to hold a miniature sewing kit. The entire assembly is raised on a fluted gilt-metal stem resting on a circular white alabaster base, surmounted by a stylized floral finial.

Historical & Style Details

• Period: Victorian (1837–1901)
• Origin: France
• Material / Technique: Blown opaline glass, gilt-metal mounting
• Materials: Opaline glass, gilt brass, alabaster
• Colour & Surface: Vibrant sky-blue glass, polished gilt metal, off-white alabaster base with natural veining
• Condition: Glass intact with no chips or cracks; gilt metal shows minor age-related tarnish and wear; interior sewing kit missing

History

Egg-shaped necessaires and scent bottle holders (caves à parfum) were highly fashionable luxury items in France during the Second Empire (Napoleon III period). Often sold in the prestigious shops of the Palais Royal in Paris, these decorative objects combined the technical mastery of French opaline glassmakers with finely chased gilt-bronze or brass mounts. They served as elegant accessories for a lady's dressing table.