Offered by Matthew Holder
An exceptional gold mounted red and gold lacquer Billet-doux.
The lacquer depicts a crane beside a stream, amongst a rocky landscape of pagodas and willow trees.
French and English, Circa 1780.
Measures 15cm in length.
The lacquer would have been made in France, inspired by the Japanese, but with a ground colour only seen in European lacquer work. The case would have been imported into England, where it received gold, bright cut mounts.
Billet-doux, or Billy do, in English vernacular. Its a decorative tube for lovers to pass secret notes to each other.
This was something of a ritual at such a stiffling court as Versailles, where it is said to have flourished.
See Snowman's book: C18th century gold boxes. Pub: Antique Collectors club, for other red lacquer in this style.
Delevery information :
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