Letter M with Coat of Arms of the Dauphin Louis (1661-1711) or of his son, the Duke of Burgundy (1682-1712), a dedicatory initial c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have a small but stately print, "Letter M with Coat of Arms," likely from the late 17th or early 18th century. It's so detailed for its size! It seems like a perfect little world of royal symbols. What do you make of it? Curator: It whispers of courtly life, doesn't it? Imagine the hand that meticulously carved each line, each fleur-de-lis. It's a dedication, a flourish. Did you notice the drapery? Almost like a stage curtain framing royalty. Perhaps a gift, a token of loyalty… Editor: Yes, I see that now! It’s like a performance. All that concentrated symbolism in such a tiny format. Curator: Exactly. Think of it as a potent symbol in miniature. Every element is charged with meaning. The craftsmanship alone speaks volumes. Editor: So much to unpack in something so small. Thanks for pointing out the details. Curator: My pleasure! It's in these small things that history sometimes speaks the loudest.