A REGENCE GILT-TOOLED LEATHER CASKET

Born in 1665, Louis-Antoine de Pardaillan de Gondrin, 1st duc d'Antin, marquis de Montespan, Gondrin and Mézieres, was the son of the celebrated mistress of Louis XIV, the marquise de Montespan. He occupied many illustrious positions at the court of Louis XIV, and became a member of the Conseil de Régence after the death of the King in 1715. He subsequently played an important role as French ambassador in 1725 when he, on behalf of Louis XV, asked for the hand of Marie Leczynska, daughter of the King of Poland.