Palais Royal engraved Mother of Pearl and Steel work shell shaped musical sewing necessaire. Exceptional quality Palais Royal workmanship in this necessaire which is very unusual in its use of cut steel which is a Russian speciality and most often associated with the workshops of Tula, the Russian armoury 120 miles from Moscow. The carcase is made from rosewood and the hinged lid is inset with a convex mother-of pearl shell which has been carved and engraved with vine leaf patterns. Lifting the lid reveals mother-of pearl and silver gilt ( or gold ) sewing implements one with the classic Palais Royal gold and enamel flower inset to the handle. The necessaire also has an early French or swiss two tune musical box in the base. This is wound by pulling on a cord and the music works by pressing a knob to the front. The tune is changed by pressing another knob. The musical box is in excellent working condition. The mother-of-pearl lid has one surface crack. France circa 1830. 7.5 inches wide by 7 inches deep by 4 inches high ( 18.75 cms by 17.5 cms by 10 cms).