French, 102 x 64 x 11 mm, 155 g, circa 1768

An exquisite and rare carnet de bal (dance card holder)
Case: 22k gold and enamel, illegible maker's mark, charge mark Jean-Jaques Prévost (1762-1768).
Opaque white ground with translucent green ornamental framing, chased and enamelled borders of translucent and opalescent dots. Gently tapering body, hinged upper part with inscriptions "Souvenier" (keepsake) on the front and "D'Amitie" (friendship) on the back. The front has an oval enamel plaque painted "en plein" with two nymphs and Amor at the altar of love; the back has an oval glazed aperture with intertwined initials on textile ground. With ivory tablets and gold mounted pencil.