The early 19th Century collector's label refers to Louise de la Baume le Blanc (1644-1710), duchesse de la Vallière and mistress of Louis XIV. Although she retreated to a Convent on retiring from Court and died in straightened circumstances, Madame de la Vallière, alongside all of the Sun King's mistresses such as Madame de Maintenon and Madame de Montespan, were at the centre of a strong romantic revival in the early 19th Century and were particularly fêted by English collectors .

A related casket was sold from the collection of Charles Butler, Esq., 1 Connaught Place, Hyde Park, London, in these Rooms, 7 December 1989, lot 66.