Etui, England, 1775-1800

Etui in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number 707&A to D-1902), made in England, dated 1775-1800. The museum's brief description reads: Etui of painted enamel on copper, with gilt copper mount, containing two cut glass scent-bottles, an ivory memorandum tablet, and a small brush with tortoiseshell handle.

English, third quarter of 18th century.. Museum description: Etui of painted enamel on copper, with gilt copper mount, containing two cut glass scent-bottles, an ivory memorandum tablet, and a small brush with tortoiseshell handle. Upright, octagonal, tapering slightly downwards. Painted in colours with the following subjects; on the lid a lady seated at needlework, two landscaped with figures and sprigs of flowers, on the body a lady drawing from a copy, a lady and gentleman singing, and sprigs of flowers.

The subjects are in panels surrounded by raised gilt rococo scrollwork and reserved on a dark blue ground with a white patter in it. The bottles are of upright shape, square in section, one plain, the other diagonally fluted; the tablet consists of two leaves pivoted together. The museum records it as Enamel on copper, gilt copper mount, cut glass, ivory, tortoiseshell., measuring Height 7.3 cm; Length 4.4 cm; Width 3.8 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.