Antique 18th Century French Billet Doux, Silver Rings on Vernis Martin Love Notes Etui
18th century Billet Doux (love notes case/courier's etui) Vernis Martin decorated wood body, shell inner lip, sterling silver rings. Condition: Very good to excellent for age and type, very light surface wear, 2 small chips on the inner shell lip. Measurements: 7/8" diameter, 5 1/2" long. I just love these old things. The history is as fun as the object. These are rare! What some think might be a cigar case is, instead, a 1700s "billet doux", or directly translated, "sweet note". The case is that into which love notes, invitations to clandestine trysts and such words of love would be sent by courier to one's beloved. Marriage being what it was among elites and titled persons in Marie-Antoinette's era and earlier, one did not always consort with only one's spouse. A love note would be written, rolled and slid into the tube, closed and perhaps even sealed with a small sealing wax/cachet to avoid prying eyes of even one's trusted courier. These survive today mostly in museum collections.