Technical drawing instrument case. France, ca. 1870.

Important case of technical drawing instruments. France, third quarter of the 19th century, ca. 1870.
Made of mahogany and rosewood, with marquetry and inlay work featuring brass and mother-of-pearl.
Instruments made of steel, brass, wood, and bone.
Interior featuring a gilded inscription reading “COMPAS PERFECTIONNÉS.”
Complete set.
The key is missing.
Condition: signs of use and wear consistent with its age.
Measurements: 7 x 33.5 x 22.5 cm.

An exceptional set of precision drafting and geometry instruments, preserved in its elaborate original case and representative of the high degree of specialization achieved by French technical instrumentation during the 19th century.
The upper tray, lined with purple velvet and perfectly compartmentalized, contains a wide array of compasses, dividers, drawing rules, extenders, and interchangeable accessories made primarily of polished steel. Some feature fine screw-adjustment mechanisms that allowed for highly precise adjustment of the arm span—an essential quality in architectural drawing, engineering, and technical drafting.
Particularly noteworthy is the breadth of the set. Beneath the main tray is a second level containing set squares, rulers, and a substantial collection of wooden curved templates of various profiles, intended for drawing arcs and complex curves. The combined presence of tools for measurement, straight-line marking, and curved drawing reveals that this was not a simple school set of compasses, but rather a genuine professional drafting kit.

The case itself reinforces the sumptuous nature of the set. Crafted from fine woods, it features a meticulous composition of mahogany and rosewood marquetry, enriched with brass fillets and a central medallion inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The interior of the lid, lined with purple silk, bears the inscription “Compas Perfectionnés” in gold—a French term associated in the 19th century with sets of precision instruments crafted with exceptional care.

During the 19th century, the growing professionalization of architecture, engineering, cartography, and industrial design made these sets indispensable tools. The most comprehensive sets, such as this one, combined scientific precision with artisanal refinement, thereby also becoming objects of prestige for their owners.