18th century A.D. A chatelaine case composed of carved and polished bloodstone, mounted with gold cherub and scrolls, suspension ring affixed to the hinged lid; the case containing: a pair of scissors, combined pocket watch-back opener, tweezers and nail file implement, folding penknife, pencil and ivory note strip bearing some pencilled words in French and a combined toothpick and ear scoop implement; the last possibly not original to the set. See D'Allemagne, H.R., Les Accessoires du Costume et du Mobilier, Paris, 1928, vol.1, pl.LV, for a similar piece. 107 grams, 11.1 cm (4 1/4 in.) Humpel auctions, Munich, 2017. Acquired in Germany, 2019. The RWM collection. Although apparently not bearing a maker's mark, surface XRF testing to the interior lining, the external mouldings and to the penknife hilt indicates an average gold content of around 76% (about 18 carat) with copper and silver also present, plus trace elements. Chatelaine cases of this type were carried, worn at the neck or attached to clothing using a pin fitting, by both ladies and gentlemen of the period, ensuring that essential small implements were always conveniently to hand. This item does contain ivory but less than 10% of the volume of the piece; this item is not suitable for export from the UK.

Fine condition; cap to case release pin absent; ivory strip chipped. Scarce.