BEAUTIFUL RARE CHINESE CARVED LOUIS XVI FRENCH BILLET DOUX – LOVE LETTER HOLDER. Piece of fine 18th century LOUIS XVI French Billet Doux : Love Letter Holder. This is a beautiful Georgian 18th Century carved and crafted Louis XVI Billet Doux- Love letter Holder, this wonderful example. I believe to be crafted in China for the French court of the 18th Century, I estimate this dates to circa 1770 making it over 245 years old. This Chinese Carved French billet doux is of such beauty and elegance, the carving is embellished with birds and snakes that run all around the body of the Billet Doux so much work has gone into the crafting of this extremely rare 18th century Billet Doux – Love letter holder. It would of certainly have carried the love letters of someone from among the Courtiers of Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI’s era or shortly there after. A very romantic item, the billet doux was the etui into which a rolled scroll of a love letter might be passed along or hand delivered by one’s servant. A courier’s envelope of sorts, these became so associated with the intimate love notes carried within, that today the term is itself a romantic one. This elegant Billet Doux is superb; the quality of the craftsmanship is breathtaking. These came in a myriad of forms, many survive and we see them in museums around the world. This one could well be on display in the Musee des Arts Decoratif in the Louvre inParis, where many similar etui fascinate visitors every day. Condition: lovely condition with a couple of very faint hairline cracks (Please see photos) also a tiny chip on the base, that being said it doesnt detract at all from its rare beauty, just mentioned for accuracy. The Billet Doux, Literally a sweet note, it is the term for a love letter, essentially and often rolled and sent by courier inside a beautiful tube like the one on offer here for sale, the tube is itself known as a billet doux for this reason, used in many centuries. An unquestionably exquisite and fine addition for any uncompromising collector or as a display piece. Please study the photos as these form an integral part of the description. Please see my other items. Track Page Views With. Auctiva’s FREE Counter. The item “BEAUTIFUL RARE CHINESE CARVED LOUIS XVI FRENCH BILLET DOUX LOVE LETTER HOLDER” is in sale since Tuesday, August 13, 2019. This item is in the category “Antiques\Silver\Solid Silver\Boxes”. The seller is “rosiebutterfly” and is located in Lancaster. This item can be shipped worldwide.