Message Box - Love Note In Martin Varnish

A message box in Martin varnish. The rotating decoration, imitating Asian lacquer and depicting a hunting scene, is applied to a rarely used pink background. A bird perches in a landscape of trees and vegetation, while a hunting dog is interested in what appears to be a fox tied to a branch. The tortoiseshell interior is set within a wooden core. Two of the four metal rings are missing, the ends of the tube show some chipping, and signs of wear are visible in the photos. This delicate object dates from the 18th century, so its lack of original condition is forgivable.