Billet doux! Decorative style that of layered paint and varnish, a particularly dimensional process developed by the brothers Martin, hence the reference now as just 'Vernis Martin'. A superb one with 2 separate compartments. Complete and essentially undamaged and still with the 2 silver bands - 5 5/8" long, 1" diameter. Shows a couple of women friends, seated ini happy conversation, set in forest of trees against a deep green-blue ground. Aren't these truly just amazing museum pieces, all. The last photos shows more of my collection of "Billet doux", since I'm working up 2 recent acquisitions today. The term directly translates to "sweet notes", these are the cases, etui, c.1750s, into which love notes and arrangements between lovers were rolled and tucked then sent by courier. Courtly love. Entirely hand painted little works of art, Vernis Martin layering of paint and varnish - Marie-Antoinette's favorite decorative style. Many have bands of 18k gold. Imagine what stories they could tell!
Very good to excellent condition throughout, no chips, cracks, loss of painted surface, and it has both of the original 18k gold bands. No damage, either, to the 2 inset tubes as you can see. The paintings are charming period scenes on main body, and a musician painted there on the top portion. 5 5/8" long, 1" in diameter. The main body is wood. One end has a little loss to the painted surface.
