Antique French Billet Doux, Silver and Mother of Pearl, Very Early 1800s Salt box I would suspect this is

I would suspect this is a lady whose sense of style was to the northern European countries taste

It is beautifully presented and preserved

opulent burled or birdseye table interior

Some slight lifting or bubbling to the reverse painting on glass but no cracks

Antique French Billet Doux, Silver and Mother of Pearl, Very Early 1800s Salt box I would suspect this isThese are rare! What some think might be a cigar case is, instead, a 1700s "billet doux", or directly translated, "sweet note". The case is that into which love notes, invitations to clandestine trysts and such words of love would be sent by courier to one's beloved. Marriage being what it was among elites and titled persons in Marie Antoinette's era and earlier, one did not always consort with only one's spouse. A love note would be written, rolled