A charming antique painted lacquer etui, believed to date from the 19th century. The slim oval case slips apart to hold small rolled items, and its form recalls the billet doux, the little case once used to carry rolled love notes. Its original use is unconfirmed.
The dark, glossy lacquered body is scattered with gilt ring decoration and finished with gilt bands. The front is hand painted with a domestic genre scene: an older woman in a bonnet and spectacles reading a paper to a younger woman, who rests her chin on her hand, with a basket at their feet.
Size: 14 cm high, 5 cm wide, 3 cm deep. The lid slides on snugly. Inside the lid is old paper lining with ruled lines and handwritten numbers, and there are red painted marks inside both parts.
Condition: age crazing to the lacquer, gilt wear, lacquer loss and flaking along the bottom right rim of the lower part, and slight scuffing down the side of the front picture. No other faults.
Please also use the photos to judge condition and identification for yourself. Offers welcome.