VESTIGE — The Estate of Maison Aldebrand

Lot01

The Hour of Conclusion

An ormolu mantel timepiece, with dome, the hands at rest

EstimateOn Application

Antique brass mantel clock with hands frozen under a clouded glass dome, on dark walnut. — Plate I — The Hour of Conclusion

Provenance: Drawing-room mantle, Maison Aldebrand, Aix-en-Provence. By descent to the present catalogue.
Materials: Patinated ormolu brass, beveled glass dome, enamel dial, blued steel hands.
Condition: Hands frozen at an ambiguous hour. Glass clouded at the lower left. Winding key absent from the compartment.
Dimensions: 28 cm height × 18 cm width × 16 cm depth (with dome).

The clock keeps no time. We are told it stopped, of its own accord, on a specific evening — though no one present at that evening now remains to confirm the hour. The hands have not been moved since.

Lot02

Monogram in Thread

A linen handkerchief, embroidered, formerly carried at the wrist

EstimateReserved · Institutional

Folded antique linen handkerchief with faded embroidered monogram on dark burgundy velvet. — Plate II — Monogram in Thread

Provenance: Bureau of Madame Aldebrand, recovered from the linen press on the second floor.
Materials: Flemish linen, silk thread embroidery (faded to ivory and ash rose), hand-rolled hem.
Condition: Initials A. A. legible; cross-stitch beginning to fray at the central letter. Linen soft from handling.
Dimensions: 38 cm square.

Worn at the wrist, against the pulse. The owner carried it always, though to which occasion it belonged is no longer recorded. The thread at the central letter has been re-stitched at least twice.

Lot03

The Last Glass

A crystal stemware, of twelve, the survivor

EstimateOn Application

Single crystal wine glass with faint lipstick trace and hairline crack in the stem, on dark polished wood. — Plate III — The Last Glass

Provenance: Cellar reserves of Maison Aldebrand, recovered from the dining-room cabinet.
Materials: Hand-blown leaded crystal, gold-rimmed foot; trace lipid residue on the rim.
Condition: A single hairline fracture to the stem, mid-shaft. Lipstick on the rim, not yet oxidized beyond recognition. Bowl otherwise pristine.
Dimensions: 21 cm height.

One of a set of twelve. None of the others remain. Surveyors differ as to whether the glass was set down at the evening's end, or simply forgotten between one course and the next.

Lot04

Mirror Without Return

A silver hand-mirror, laid face-down, the surface gone dark

EstimateOn Application

Antique silver hand mirror lying face-down on aged burgundy velvet, surface heavily tarnished. — Plate IV — Mirror Without Return

Provenance: Vanity of Madame Aldebrand, recovered from the upstairs corridor.
Materials: Sterling silver, hand-chased floral handle, mercury-glass reflecting surface.
Condition: Reflective backing extensively oxidized. Engraving worn at the handle's lower third, consistent with repeated grip.
Dimensions: 28 cm length.

Held face-down on the vanity on the morning of her departure. No reason recorded. The housekeeper, asked, said only: she did not look back that morning.

Lot05

Key, No Door

An iron skeleton key, hidden beneath a floorboard

EstimateReserved

Antique iron skeleton key with ornate bow, tied with faded burgundy velvet ribbon, on dark wood. — Plate V — Key, No Door

Provenance: Found beneath a floorboard in the east wing; position of the nail consistent with deliberate concealment.
Materials: Hand-forged iron, brass wards, faded silk ribbon (burgundy, formerly a deeper oxblood).
Condition: Bow slightly bent from use; wards sharp. Ribbon disintegrating at the fold; a small portion preserved beneath wax.
Dimensions: 11.5 cm length.

Surveyors of the estate identified forty-three doors in the house. None of them are now opened with this key. The ribbon suggests it was carried on the person, at one time.

Lot06

The Opener of Letters

A letter opener, ivory-handled, the blade still sharp

EstimateOn Application

Antique letter opener with yellowed ivory handle and darkened steel blade across an aged envelope. — Plate VI — The Opener of Letters

Provenance: Writing desk of Monsieur Aldebrand, recovered from the study.
Materials: Yellowed ivory handle (suspected elephant, pre-Convention), Sheffield steel blade with original patina.
Condition: Blade still holds an edge. Handle showing age-cracks at the ferrule; one small chip near the pommel.
Dimensions: 24 cm length.

Used to open correspondence that, according to the surviving housekeeper, was never answered. The desk drawer held forty-two sealed letters when the estate was inventoried. They are not included in this sale.

Lot07

Lid of the Mechanism

A music box, the interior absent, the case alone remaining

EstimateOn Application

Antique inlaid wooden music box with lid open showing empty mechanism compartment. — Plate VII — Lid of the Mechanism

Provenance: Boudoir of the elder daughter, recovered from beneath a fallen curtain.
Materials: Marquetry walnut and sycamore, gilt inlay in the Boulle manner, velvet lining (faded burgundy).
Condition: Lid intact. Cylinder and comb absent. Interior velvet bearing a circular impression where the mechanism once sat.
Dimensions: 28 cm × 18 cm × 11 cm.

The mechanism was removed in advance of the family's departure and not returned. The melody it played cannot be recovered from the object alone — only the shape of where it used to be.

Lot08

Shoes for a Dance That Did Not Happen

A pair of satin slippers, worn at the toe, the ribbons trailing

EstimateReserved · Institutional

Pair of antique women's pale satin ballet slippers, worn through at the toes, ribbons trailing. — Plate VIII — Shoes for a Dance That Did Not Happen

Provenance: Wardrobe of Mademoiselle Aldebrand (the younger), recovered from the wardrobe room.
Materials: Silk satin (faded ivory), silk ribbon laces, leather sole, linen lining.
Condition: Satin worn through at both toes, exposing the lining beneath. Ribbons trailing. Soles unmarked — these were practice slippers, never worn outside.
Dimensions: Size 36 European. Heel absent — flat practice slippers.

The dance in question is not named in any surviving document. The slippers suggest an evening that did not take place. The ribbons were tied once, and never untied.