Etui and lid, England, 18th century

Etui and lid in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number 414:1666-1885), made in England, dated 18th century. The museum's brief description reads: Etui, enamel on copper, painted with a portrait of a woman in polychrome enamels, and gilded, on a chased gilt metal mount, fitted with ivory memorandum-tablets, England, 18th century.

Museum description: Etui, enamel on copper, painted in polychrome enamels, and gilded. On one side is a portrait of a woman. The portrait, half-length, occupies a panel on one side; the woman wears a blue cap and pink fur-trimmed dress. A panel on the reverse side and three panels on the lid are painted with bouquets in colours. The panels are each enclosed by a rococo scrolled framework of light blue, light green, pink and mauve edged with raised gilding, the ground in the intervals between them being white, with raised white trellis-diaper.

With a chased gilt metal mount and swing handle on the lid. Fitted with a ivory memorandum-tablet. The museum records it as Enamel on copper, painted in enamel colours, and gilded, with a chased gilt metal mount, measuring Height 9.5 cm; Width 4.1 cm. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.