Louis, the eldest son of King Louis XIV, became known as the Grand Dauphin after the birth of his own son, who was dubbed the Petit Dauphin. Though he was first in line to the throne, Louis died tragically before his father and never became king. Still, he left behind treasures of all types, shapes, and sizes. All were protected in custom-made wooden cases, and these cases were lined in velvet, covered in fine leather, and decorated in heraldic motifs elaborately stamped and tooled. In one of the most extensive exhibitions of these casings to date, 101 examples from the 16th to 18th centuries are on display. —E.C.