A rare cased set of four Gilt Brass Whist Markers or Gaming Counters, measuring 5/8" or 17 mm wide. They are decorated in raised relief, on one side with a depiction of Chevalier D'eon, dressed as a soldier wearing a sword and also having the word CHEVALIER in a bead border. The other side shows him holding a book? and the word ESQUIRE. They come in their original bronze case, which is marked with the words - WHIST MARKERS - and is decorated with a Crowned Crest, with Laurel leaves and an Ace of spades at its centre. The bottom is decorated with a beautiful engine turned spiral design. They date to the late 18th century and are in good condition. Please see photos.
Chevalier D'eon (1728-1810) was a Soldier, Diplomat and Spy for the King Louis XV. His full name was Chevalier or Charlotte D'eon De Beaumont and the long standing organisation for transgender people, the Beaumont society is named after him. He lived periods of his life, as both a man and a woman and was recognised as a woman by the king. He has been described as a legend in his own lifetime and there is a wealth of information about Chevalier D'eon on numerous websites, including portraits, prints etc etc