"A Pure Treasure " , this wonderful very private and personal Mahogany Letterbox belonged to Pauline ( Paulina ) Borghese ( Sister to Napoleon Bonaparte ) . It is of supreme quality and is adorned with the most excellent quality Ormolu Mounts  showing the Royal Cresting of a Princess and confirming its provenance with the Napoleonic Signature Gilded Bronze Bees .

 

 

The personal letter could be posted into the box via a secret cupboard which in turn could only be opened by the Princess who possessed the key . As a precaution the keyhole is hidden amongst the fine ormolu decoration and  presumably known only to the Princess .

 

 

 

Provenance  Paulina Borghese ( Nee Bonaparte ) Hotel Charost , 2 , rue du Fauberg St Honore Paris....Now the British Embassy in Paris

 

Literature. A copy of the 1814 inventory ( available ) of the l`Hotel de la Princesse Pauline - Borghese ( now the British Embassy ) lists a Petite boit a l`lettre siituated in the Antichambre .

 

 

 

Ref 5698

 

 

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Ref No: 5698