Yellow gold, enamel and diamonds, flattened oblong rectangular-shaped, “Etui-à-tablette”, carnet-de-bal, with inside, four-leaved ivory tablets with gold rivet (pencil missing). Blue flinqué enamel (translucent enamel over guilloché engine-turning) panels, with, in the centre, inside gold frames, oval panels showing in polychrome two allegories of Love; the first depicting an Altar of Love, the second with a Coronation of Love. The lid with applied diamond-set words “Souvenir” “D’amitié”.

“Etui-à-tablette”

The fashion of these small étuis (cases) develops throughout the 18th century. These small flat cases containing a writing kit (ivory tablets and pencil) are then used to record his appointments. These cases are the ancestors of
the carnets-de-bal (notebooks) that will develop during the 19th century.

The inscription “Souvenir d’amitié” (Souvenir of Friendship) underlines the sentimental value of such gifts.