A fine needlework casket, the lid with a noble couple in coloured silks and purl, castles in the background with mica windows and with various spot motifs including a snail, insects, flowers and a bird, the ends worked with a split scene of the Judgement of Paris, the left with the hand of Eris, goddess of strife, throwing down a golden apple, Paris then handing it to Venus, the right end with Minerva with a shield and a crowned figure of Juno, the doors with a pair of lovers, the seated lady playing a lyre, a girl and a boy carring cherries standing by, island castles in the background, the back with a silk trellis pattern, the interior fitted with compartments for ink and bottles and with drawers concealing a secret compartment--7.25 x 10.5 x 8in. (18.5 X 27 x 20cm.), third quarter 18th century, with plinth and glass case