Message Holder Case

A rare ivory message-holder, finely carved in the round. On the body, the depiction of two cherubs at play and, on the lid, two doves in love in their nest identify it as a love message-holder: the servant messenger, the lover’s envoy, carried the message and awaited the reply. The decoration is completed by rich floral motifs and typically Baroque inserts. A fine example of workmanship in the characteristic French taste, executed by a skilled sculptor in a period attributable to the 18th century.