Rare blotting paper case in dark blue velvet, embellished with an oval porcelain medallion depicting a bunch of flowers, and openwork silvered bronze vine branches. Labeled "TAHAN Rue de la Paix au coin du Bould", along with a document with the mention : "Rare nécessaire à courrier d'époque Napoléon III ayant appartenu à Madame d'ESPAGNY, épouse du Ministre de l'Intérieur de Napoléon III. Provenance Château de la GRYE" (Rare Napoleon III blotting paper case that belonged to Madam of ESPAGNY, wife of Napoleon III's Home Secretary. Origin Palace of GRYE".
Circa :1860
Dim: W: 10,6 in - D: ,4in - H: 14,2in.
Dim: L:27cm, P:3cm, H:36cm.
Condition Report
In good general condition, with some traces of wear inside the case.
Literature
Shortly before 1806, Pierre Lambert Tahan, Belgian cabinet-maker, come to Paris. In 1825, him and his son, Jean Pierre Alexandre (1813-1892), were at the head of two factories, producing the same types of objects. In 1844, Pierre Lambert Tahan ceased his activities leaving the direction of his shop to his son who will completely revolutionize the company's organization by separating factory and store located at 32 Rue de la Paix. A year later, it was known as "Supplier of the King and Princes" and in 1855 he holded the title of "Supplier of the Emperor." The Court passed a large amount of commands for libraries and pedestal tables. Moreover, Pierre Alexandre Tahan participated at the World Fairs of his time. After the fall of the Second Empire, it was difficult to dissociate the Tahan House from the figure of the Emperor. In 1882, the company ceased its production and the store closed its doors.
