My collection of decades included 2 of these little 18th century French coin purses, and this is the 2nd of the 2 (the other is listed). Quite unique, a hair art arrangement with gold square frame and wires, heart and lover's initials are worked under a convex cover glass and mount, much like we see on snuff or patch boxes of that era. A well-cherished little red coin purse in this case, I wonder if it memorializes a wedding, a lost love, or the commitment to just one love. The iconography is interesting. Dark brunette hair combined with pale blond which creates a pillar upon which a heart is mounted. The Cupid's bow without arrows signifies a solid love, no longer subject to the sling of arrows of creating new love. This is what makes me think it might well have been a commemorative of a marriage. Encircled L and M, meeting at a committed love alter. Full measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, it is not quite perfect. While it is likely it was never used, based on condition of the red leather, there is a slight flaw to the leather on backside tongue, likely done century or more later by someone trying to open without knowing how. I have marked it with an 'x'. The baffles, also of leather, are a bit stiff and there is a small separation at fold. I hesitate to try to open more than I did in the photos for the best care of what has been a precious memento for over 2 centuries. No break or loss to the hair art or convex cover glass and it's firmly mounted. A lovely little purse.
