Louis XVI-Period Vari-Colored Gold Étui

This Louis XVI-period gold étui is both an exceptional example of French craftsmanship and a charming relic of a bygone era. Such pieces were often used by lovers or other cohorts to pass secret correspondence or billets-doux — "love notes" — undetected. Its artistry pays homage to the declarations of love it likely once held. Crafted entirely of vari-colored gold, the étui displays a neoclassical design punctuated by a dot motif and chased borders of foliage. Stunning in its artistry and history, this étui reflects the 18th-century taste for elegant ornamentation. 

Circa 1780
Features later French guarantee marks and import marks for gold

4 3/8" length x 7/8" wide x 3/8" deep