A Louis XV French gold and lacquer carnet-de-bal (souvenir d'amitié), probably Paris circa 1770

Of tapering rectangular form, with red lacquer body with applied painted portrait miniature of a young woman, glazed, edged with chased and pierced gold work of bird’s flowers and C scrolls. The obverse with a gilt lacquer vernis martin study of flowers, glazed, edged the same. The hinged lid with pierced and applied SOUVENIR to each side, gold edges to each section. The interior with a gold pivot set pair of ivory aide-mémoire sheaths and a gold pencil holder. Marked to inside of lid mount indistinctly.

Length – 8.35 cm / 3.25 inches

Gross Weight – 77 grams / 2.48 ozt

Sold Christie’s London, 7 Dec 2004, Lot 32, (part-lot £2,390 incl. premium)