An elegant French Art Nouveau silvered metal pocket notebook (carnet de bal), circa 1900, created as a pilgrimage souvenir from Lourdes. The front cover features a central circular repoussé medallion depicting the Apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes to Saint Bernadette, inscribed "LOURDES" at the base. The reverse is decorated in high Art Nouveau style with embossed chrysanthemums and a ribbon scroll also reading "LOURDES".

The notebook retains its original red-lacquered wood pencil with a silvered metal cap, which functions as a slide-clasp closure through two integrated side loops. A small suspension ring at the top hinge allows it to be worn on a chatelaine or chain.

Historical & Style Details

• Subject / Sitter / Source: The Apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes to Bernadette Soubirous
• Period: Art Nouveau (circa 1890–1910)
• Origin: France
• Material / Technique: Silvered brass or white metal, repoussé and chased decoration, paper, lacquered wood pencil
• Markings: Inscribed "LOURDES" on both front medallion and reverse scroll
• Decorative Details: Art Nouveau floral motifs (chrysanthemums) on the reverse; foliate scrollwork on the hinge flap
• Condition: Moderate wear to the silvered surface revealing the darker base metal underneath; light tarnish and surface scratches consistent with age; paper pages inside are complete but show natural yellowing; pencil shows minor wear to the lacquer.

History

Following the Marian apparitions of 1858, Lourdes rapidly became one of the world's premier Catholic pilgrimage sites. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a thriving market for high-quality decorative souvenirs emerged. Pocket notebooks like this carnet de bal, designed to be worn on chatelaines, combined religious devotion with the prevailing Art Nouveau aesthetic of the era.