17th Century Silver Book Form Needle Case "Je Brule Pour Vous" Ex Albert Collection

A rare 17th century silver Needle Case, made in the form of a book with a pair of clasp closures and with six pages of fabric bound with silver thread to hold the needles. The front cover is engraved with a landscape scene with a house and a church, in front of which is a tomb below a flaming heart observed by a morose standing putto. In the sky is a banner with the legend:
"Je Brule Pour Vous" (I burn for you), and the whole is framed and engraved with acanthus leaves. The back cover is engraved with a pair of cherubs holding a vacant oval cartouche in a landscape and similarly framed. The spine is engraved with foliate arabesques.

Unmarked c1680. Probably English, but possibly French.

Ex: The Albert Collection.

Sold - £2,250.00