Antique French c.1820 Palais Royal Sewing Tool, Folding Mother of Pearl Hem or Measuring Ruler

I recently bought a partially filled but beautiful c.1820 French Palais Royal sewing box, intending to sell off its parts separately. Here you have the very rare mother of pearl hemming or measuring tape, hinged to fold into its fitting. In fact, I bought the box with its spare parts to acquire this one item for a special customer who’s been waiting for me to find one for her. Measurements are noted on the photos.

Very good to excellent for age and type. Just one has a single tiny flaw but it’s not a hindrance to function, and no chips at all – such a pretty carved mother of pearl hem measure or ruler, and as noted, these are incredibly rare to find. You are buying only the folding measuring tool, ruler in this offering, but photos show the antique box from which it came. The rivets are brass, I think, rather than 18k gold. One end cap on rivet is missing (see photos). Measurements are noted on photos.