Pair of Shells with Portraits Forming a Purse Early 16th century or 19th century

This is an enameled purse made from a pair of shells, artist unknown, but from Limoges, France. Likely made in the mid-1500's, this purse is both luxury object and a functional item. The delicate portraits on the shells are of a fashionable, wealthy, white male. The purse reflects the values of courtly love and chivalry, and might have been offered as a gift. The shells and portraits are integrated into a single piece, which speaks to both wealth and status. What stories could this purse tell? What exchanges, gifts, and transactions did it witness? What secrets did it hold? Reflect upon the purse as a container of intimate objects, think about its potential use, but also of its craftsmanship. Think about the gendered nature of access to wealth and power.