A spectacular little work of art, in its time a perfume or scent caddy. These carved and incised mother of pearl cases are rarely fully intact. Often chipped or a panel or more lost to the centuries. This decorative style and item dates to the c.1750-80s, Louis XV through XVI reigns, or time of Marie-Antoinette and earlier. Initially it would have not been missing some of the silver and gold foil, quite a lot of it remains. Charming little figural carvings on each side. A sterling silver mount has tiny old French marks. I've captured those as well as I could for your review. Imagine artisans laboring to create such a little gem for their wealthy patrons. It would originally have been fitted with 2 small flacon, flasks for perfume and also a center post would have held a tiny sterling silver or likely 18k gold funnel, as well. The bottles and funnel have gone missing in these 270 or so years since it was made.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. The individual pieces of mother of pearl, each carved, incised and foil-inlaid works of art, then assembled on a form carved of wood, mounted to the silver hinged frame. The interior lined in silk velvet and a red leather inside the lid, it is ready for 2 perfume bottles and a tiny funnel. Measurements are noted on the photos.
