Antique French Billet Doux, Silver and Mother of Pearl, Very Early 1800s Salt box And it is the leather

And it is the leather that holds the painting

I do not think that ric-rac is original

carved in a simple but elegant shape

Nothing looks like anything as you work the 'painting'

opulent burled or birdseye table interior

Antique French Billet Doux, Silver and Mother of Pearl, Very Early 1800s Salt box And it is the leatherThese 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