I'm always so drawn to these; for the inherent beauty of them and age, but also for their history. These were used to courier love notes in mid to later 1700s, "Billet Doux" actually means sweet note. Clandestine meetings, declarations of devotion, the role it played in amour among the French Nobiliity can only be imagined. Who owned and used this one? To whom were its love note directed. Painted in the unique layered paint and varnish made popular in the time of Marie-Antoinette and King Louis XVI's court, it was M-A's favorite decorative style. Remember, in that time Nobility marriages were more a political or business arrangement, so true love was typically an unending search outside one's marriage. These are love! Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, this one has 1 compartments and pique inlays of silver and gold at each end. This one is remarkably well preserved, both silver and gold pique trim at ends, and wood& shell very nice. note compartment has no chips to the shell. The red foil and hand painted body includes courting scenes and is exceptionally fine. It has very little loss to the paintings which include a Beautiful young woman, out in nature, her servant (or perhaps a spy) looking on from the top cover - charming! Shell interior collar hasn't a single flaw. Collect all you can find - I have!
