{"product_id":"female-form-yellow-gold-etui","title":"Female-Form Yellow Gold Étui","description":"Female-Form Gold Étui\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1760 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This rare and particularly fashionable Continental gold \u003cem\u003eétui\u003c\/em\u003e is a refined example of 18th-century luxury and personal adornment. Cast and chased in the form of an elegant maiden, the piece combines the intimate function of a fitted case with the artistry of a sculpture. Hinged at the bust, it would have held small personal implements, transforming an everyday necessity into a fashionable objet d’art. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The tapering form is modeled as a woman dressed in flowing classical drapery, her figure enriched with lively \u003cem\u003erocaille\u003c\/em\u003e and scroll ornament. Derived from the Old French word “estuier,” meaning “to keep or hold,” an \u003cem\u003eétui\u003c\/em\u003e was designed to protect small personal items such as sewing tools, writing implements or grooming accessories. During the 18th century, these luxurious cases became highly fashionable among Europe’s elite, often crafted from precious materials and embellished with the graceful ornament associated with the Rococo style. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Stamped with later Parisian import marks \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 4 1\/4\" high x 1\" wide x 1\/2\" deep","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45727173902471,"sku":"32-3170","price":12850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-3170_1.png?v=1788211244","url":"https:\/\/rauantiques.com\/products\/female-form-yellow-gold-etui","provider":"M.S. Rau","version":"1.0","type":"link"}