Miss Fonnereau's gold and mother of pearl sewing huswife, London, circa 1790

the quilted cream silk folder with gold and translucent purple enamel clasps, opening to reveal nine gold, mother of pearl and steel implements including a mother of pearl and gold folding fruit knife, and ruler, the gold sliding pencil/ruler, spoon, bodkin, awl, gold-handled scissors and compass each engraved 'Miss Fonnereau', with matching steel tweezers/ear scoop, one end forming a purse, containing matching silk needle leaves, maker's mark GC, possibly George Cowdery, only on pencil

overall good condition and very fine and delicate. The silk purse must be very cautiously handle as can be dirty easily.
"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."

Claude Fonnereau (1677-1740) was a French protestant born in La Rochelle who emigrated to London and made his fortune in the linen trade between Hamburg and London.  Claude purchased a Tudor house, Christchurch Mansion (now an art gallery), in Ipswich in 1734, which still contains a portrait of its former owner (R.1985-79.1). The Fonnereau dynasty includes successful businessmen and politicians such as Thomas (1699-1779), Member of Parliament, and Philip (1739-1797) who was a director of Bank of England. There were also elegant Misses Fonnereau, such as Philip's daughters who married into the English gentry, such as Mary Anne Fonnereau (d. 1844) who married George Woodford Thellusson (d. 1811), on 3 April 1791 and Elizabeth Margaret Fonnereau who married the merchant, patron of art and collector of pictures and books George Hibbert (d. 1837) on 30 August 1784 or their unmarried sister Isabella (1766-1834). According to Anne Bronte in Agnes Grey (1847), the title of Miss with a surname was reserved for the eldest sister with any younger siblings being called Miss with their first name.