{"product_id":"19th-century-french-mother-of-pearl-souvenir-aide-memoire-carnet-de-bal-c-1850-1880","title":"19th Century French Mother-of-Pearl “Souvenir” Aide-Mémoire \/ Carnet de Bal, c. 1850–1880","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eItem: 19th Century French Mother-of-Pearl “Souvenir” Aide-Mémoire \/ Carnet de Bal, c. 1850–1880\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional Description\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA charming 19th-century mother-of-pearl pocket aide-mémoire, or carnet de bal, with finely engraved scrolling floral decoration surrounding the script inscription “Souvenir.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe front and back covers are cut from luminous mother-of-pearl, each with a shaped scalloped crest and delicately incised flowers, foliate scrolls, and feathered leaves. The pages are gathered at the top beneath a mother-of-pearl washer and an engraved metal pivoting clasp\/keeper, allowing the little book to open fan-like.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeveral of the original paper leaves remain and bear period handwritten names and notations, giving the piece particularly appealing evidence of its original use. Pieces of this type served as elegant portable memory books and, particularly in France, could function as carnets de bal, or dance cards, in which the owner recorded dances, partners, appointments, or personal notes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe engraved “Souvenir” inscription is characteristic of French mother-of-pearl notebooks and aides-mémoire made as fashionable personal accessories during the 19th century. Comparable examples identified as French carnets de bal survive with mother-of-pearl covers, writing leaves, and metal fittings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEra\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMid–Late 19th Century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCirca 1850–1880\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistory\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe carnet de bal, literally “dance notebook,” became a fashionable ballroom accessory during the 19th century. At formal dances, an owner could record the order of dances and the names of the partners engaged for each one. These small books were frequently made in luxurious materials such as mother-of-pearl, silver, ivory, and gilt metal and were designed to be carried discreetly in the hand or a small evening bag.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNot every example was exclusively a dance card: related objects were sold more generally as aides-mémoire or souvenir notebooks, useful for recording names, appointments, remembrances, and other notes. Christie's records an early-19th-century mother-of-pearl example similarly engraved “Souvenir” and described as an aide mémoire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe surviving handwritten leaves in this example make it especially evocative—the object remains not merely decorative, but a small piece of someone's personal social history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLikely France.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcquired in France.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe attribution to France is based on the form, “Souvenir” inscription, mother-of-pearl decoration, and close correspondence with documented French carnets de bal and Palais-Royal-style aides-mémoire; no visible maker's mark or hallmark is present in the supplied photographs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterials\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMother-of-pearl \/ nacre\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEngraved metal fitting, likely brass or gilt metal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMother-of-pearl pivot washer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal paper leaves\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod graphite\/ink inscriptions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately [insert height] H × [insert width] W × [insert depth] D\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood antique condition with wear consistent with age and use. Mother-of-pearl displays natural variation, surface scratching, and minor edge wear. The metal fitting shows oxidation, darkening, and loss to its original finish. Interior paper leaves exhibit expected toning, edge wear, small losses, creasing, and period handwriting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe pivoting upper fitting remains present. The piece may originally have incorporated an additional writing implement or closure component; completeness of the original fitting cannot be guaranteed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe period inscriptions have intentionally been left untouched as an important part of the object's history and character.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDisclaimers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDating and French attribution are based on construction, materials, decoration, and comparison with documented 19th-century examples and should be considered approximate. Mother-of-pearl is a natural material and may exhibit variations, lines, inclusions, and irregularities inherent to the shell rather than later damage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAntique objects are sold as found and may exhibit age-related wear not individually noted.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"For the Louvre of Antiques LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50637784154367,"sku":null,"price":265.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/8780\/4927\/files\/672D078D-D8E4-46E6-B60A-D2944D47C0A7.png?v=1791733366","url":"https:\/\/forthelouvreofantiques.com\/fr\/products\/19th-century-french-mother-of-pearl-souvenir-aide-memoire-carnet-de-bal-c-1850-1880","provider":"For the Louvre of Antiques LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}