A False Book in the shape of an Almanac, designed for carrying flasks (not present). French, circa 1760.
Small ‘16mo’ (105 x 60 x 25 mm), box in the shape of an almanac or small binding, top-opening, revealing two equal compartments with a tiny central compartment, closed but with a small hole at the top, also a slim side-compartment, the exposed part (normally covered by the top part of the ‘book’) externally covered in blue silk, worn along the top and sides, some staining inside the uncovered interior of the compartments, the contents of the box missing, in contemporary red morocco, slightly worn with one corner bumped, front and rear covers elaborately gilt with borders comprising gilt filet, corner sun bursts, floral swags and diamond tooling, with a central filet with tapered corners and a circular indent on each corner, in the centre a black circular label (across the opening) depicting a hunting scene in gilt, with falconry and vegetation, the scene within a decorative scroll, the binding flat, gilt in compartments and with black morocco label lettered in gilt ‘Oeuvre Chretien’, the ‘pages’ edges of the box made of varnished, painted paper with a single gilt scroll across the three sides.
A delightful box made to look like a pocket book of devotional works but designed as an elegant vanity bag. The internal space of the box suggests that it used to carry two small flasks of perfume or smelling salts. The design also includes a central hole, presumably for a funnel or pipet and a slim side-pocket which probably contained a small mirror. The contents are unfortunately no longer present but this remains a testimony to an elegant female accessory as well as a delightful falconry binding.