Gold, studded with diamonds and set with enamel plaques. The miniature on the cover is signed and dated Hamelin 1758 on both sides. Maker Jean Ducrollay. Paris, 1757-8. Ex coll. C. T. H. Hawkins. The Taft Museum, Cincinnati. A spring catch releases the gold lining of the cover, revealing a secret compartment. According to the Encyclopedie, Hamelin (who is unidentified) perfected the art of enamelling on goldsmiths’ work; his first miniatures appeared in 1754.
