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Popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, aide memoires -- or memory aids -- were small riveted booklets containing five to eight pages made of thin slices of ivory or celluloid.
Designed to record weekly tasks or random thoughts on the go, these handy petite notepads could fit comfortably in a gentleman's coat pocket or softly swing from a lady's waist via a chatelaine, like this one. Some would even come with a small pencil attached for added convenience.
This exquisite aide memoire is fashioned out of a wonderfully iridescent piece of mother of pearl dyed the most perfect shade of peach. The sheen is so intense on this piece, it almost glows!
Hand carved into the shape of a four-leaf clover -- a symbol of luck and faithfulness -- this tiny keeper of secrets contains 7 celluloid pages and has an attached sterling silver bail.
It comes hanging from a sterling silver chatelaine hook with a lovely engraved floral motif, which is quintessential for the Aesthetic Movement.
Since the aide memoire is attached to the chatelaine with a dog clip, it can easily be removed and added to a necklace chain if so desired.
Additional Details
Date: 1880s-1890s
Materials: Sterling silver, mother of pearl, celluloid
Measurements: 7 1/2" x 1 7/8"
Markings: 56 925 Sterling
Condition: Excellent
No flaws to note.
Cleaning and Care
Clean mother of pearl gently with a slightly damp soft cloth. Wipe dry with a soft cloth. Hand polish the sterling with a polishing cloth.
