An impressive twenty-four piece French silver dressing toilet suite, Charles-Auguste Peret, Paris, circa 1850

comprising; mirror, the upper central cartouche with a coat of arms below a Ducal coronet, flanked by putto, the body pierced with foliate scrolls over blue silk, each side applied with a cast twin-armed sconce, on a silk-covered wooden easel back; a ewer and basin, two pairs of graduating table caskets, the larger with pierced and embossed covers around a central coat-of arms, both with silk-lined interiors, the largest 15cm., 5 7/8 in. high; three pairs of rectangular silver covered cut-glass toilet boxes, in three sizes, largest 23.2cm., 9 1/8 long; two pairs of silver-topped toilet jars, in two sizes, 11.5cm., 4 1/2 in. high; four large silver-mounted cut-glass toilet bottles, 19cm., 7 1/2 in. high; a hand mirror, a hair brush, and a nail brush; all pieces boldly cast and embossed with heavy scrolling foliage and rocaille in the rococo manner, around a Ducal coat of arms, some pieces incuse stamped BERTHET ET PERET

Acquired from Oronti Antiques, London, 5 December 2000

One smaller toilet jar, missing silver rim. One glass body much heavier than its pair, possible replacement All with very small chips/chewing to edges. Hand brush and mirror with stained fabric, the mirror with loss of part of pierced silver detail. Mirror possibly in need of replacement. The two smaller table caskets possibly originally all had pierced and embossed covers similar to larger pair but reminance has been removed. The blue silk with brown staining. The two larger caskets with losses to the pierced/embossed areas of the covers. Some of these broken pieces are still present with the lot. Of the large toilet bottles, three are closed/screwed to firmly shut to open. The remaining one has a break visible inside to the neck. In general the exteriors a little chipped but generally good. Of the toilet boxes, one medium example with a fairly large break to the rim, otherwise good bar a few general small chips. Both small covers fir loosely to their respective bodies. The ewer and basin are well and heavy cast, minimal signs of wear. The mirror with break and loss to central flower of ducal crown, one other possibly repaired. There is a loss of applied silver to the lower-right side. One branch of the sconces is loosely attached compared to the other. Otherwise good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."