Antique French 18th Century Billet Doux (Sweet Notes Carrier) in Vernis Martin Decoration, Bugs, Flowers Pendant Display A desktop item

A desktop item

and rising about 1 inch

condiments or caviar serving bowl with Classical styling and wonderful visual appeal

and I've had him and enjoyed this painting on our walls now for about 20 years

Antique French 18th Century Billet Doux (Sweet Notes Carrier) in Vernis Martin Decoration, Bugs, Flowers Pendant Display A desktop itemI just love these old things. The history is as fun as the object. These are rare! What some think might be a cigar case is, instead, a 1700s "billet doux", or directly translated, "sweet note". The case is that into which love notes, invitations to clandestine trysts and such words of love would be sent by courier to one's beloved. Marriage being what it was among elites and titled persons in Marie Antoinette's era and earlier, one did not always