Antique French 18k Gold Vernis Martin Billet Doux, 1700s Love Note Etui, Case rococo Superb RARE book find

Superb RARE book find

The painting is stunning

and will be just gorgeous accented there with perhaps antique metal (in gold) passsimenterie (trim)

The interior of each is either a layer of opaque white glass or enamel

They are not glued

Antique French 18k Gold Vernis Martin Billet Doux, 1700s Love Note Etui, Case rococo Superb RARE book findThe 1" diameter and 4"+ long tube you see is something very special. In France, it was known as a "Billet doux", or "sweet note", quite literally. And it would have contained those sweet notes passed between lovers, friends, from the 1700s through about 1820. One would write a love letter, or message to set a meeting, roll it and put inside the container you see. Then a trusted servant or courier would be dispatched to deliver the correspondence and