Antique c. 1700s French Billet Dous, Vernis Martin in Pink and Green, Sweet Note, Marie-Antoinette cow Exquisite 18k gold French sewing

Exquisite 18k gold French sewing tools in their original c

The center circle is all an oil painting

I have not yet researched the hallmarks and rather anticipated the gold would test 18k on this stunning old snuff box

France maker

feel and motion

Antique c. 1700s French Billet Dous, Vernis Martin in Pink and Green, Sweet Note, Marie-Antoinette cow Exquisite 18k gold French sewingOh, I just love these. Not just for the way they look and their advanced age, but for their story. This is a French billet doux. The term translates directly as "sweet note", and self describes since it is the courier delivered case into which cortge of Louis XVI and his Queen Marie Antoinette communicated and summoned their trysts, love affairs. A clandestine meeting? Arranged through quill penned note rolled and put inside and then sent on its way