Palais Royal is a term given to an area in Paris around the Royal Palace that specialised in producing small elaborate works of art during the 18th and 19th centuries. Palais Royal sewing tools are among the most elaborate and precious, and usually feature mother-of-pearl, often intricately carved or engraved. Most popular were scissors, with steel blades and gilt mounts, thimbles and needlecases, the latter often taking elaborate animal or other natural forms. The quality of the workmanship can often be exceptional, so much so that the tools can be almost too fragile to use. During the 19th century entire workboxes were fitted with such tools and the workboxes themselves often incorporated mother-of-pearl, engraved and carved, elaborate gilt metal mounts and other elaborate ornamentations. Prices for these boxes can run into thousands of pounds, if complete.