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RARE c.1770s French Revolutionary Officer Portrait Miniature, 18k Gold Bracelet, Hair Art
RARE c.1770s French Revolutionary Officer Portrait Miniature, 18k Gold Bracelet, Hair Art
RARE c.1770s French Revolutionary Officer Portrait Miniature, 18k Gold Bracelet, Hair Art
RARE c.1770s French Revolutionary Officer Portrait Miniature, 18k Gold Bracelet, Hair Art
RARE c.1770s French Revolutionary Officer Portrait Miniature, 18k Gold Bracelet, Hair Art
RARE c.1770s French Revolutionary Officer Portrait Miniature, 18k Gold Bracelet, Hair Art
RARE c.1770s French Revolutionary Officer Portrait Miniature, 18k Gold Bracelet, Hair Art
RARE c.1770s French Revolutionary Officer Portrait Miniature, 18k Gold Bracelet, Hair Art
RARE c.1770s French Revolutionary Officer Portrait Miniature, 18k Gold Bracelet, Hair Art
RARE c.1770s French Revolutionary Officer Portrait Miniature, 18k Gold Bracelet, Hair Art
RARE c.1770s French Revolutionary Officer Portrait Miniature, 18k Gold Bracelet, Hair Art

RARE c.1770s French Revolutionary Officer Portrait Miniature, 18k Gold Bracelet, Hair Art

Regular price $2,795.00 Sale price $1,956.50
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A rare museum treasure, this, and true to its stature and value, it remains in pristine condition. A remarkably beautiful and generous 2" wide locket clasp, mounted with the portrait miniature of an officer of the French Revolution, Royalist, who wears early medal similar to the later (1812) Medal of Honor on his uniform. A French friend has confirmed the medal is "Ordre de Notre Dame du Mont Carmel", in variations, dating back to 1607** and officially dissolved on Order of the French Revolution.  I wish I knew military uniforms better, and hope my collectors out there who do will email and help me get a closer determination of perhaps who this dignified proud officer is. His white uniform is trimmed in Navy blue, white or silver bullion epaulettes on both shoulders. His hair in the manner popular in his era, c.1760-80. Remarkable portrait, his face is only 3/8" from chin to hairline. Imagine the skill.  I have not opened this one. I hesitate to take jewelry items apart. There is a faint dust on the inside of the old original convex cover glass. Nothing wrong with the painting, itself. The locket's back side also still has the convex cover glass. As stunning as is the painting and that fine 18k gold French bracelet clasp, it's all the more rare to have the woven hair of the bracelet so pristine. This one has never been worn, shows not a bit of wear nor disruption. It has French guarantee mark for 18k solid gold (shown but very tiny), and is 7" long lying flat, plus the insert for the clasp, so will easily fit a 7" wrist or slightly larger (the braided hair does have some stretch to it). This would indicate, in its time, it might have been made for a gentleman. Perhaps a souvenir for this officer at the ceremony of his medal award. Portrait bracelets are so rare. This one is more than 250 years old.

Excellent condition throughout. I really can find nothing to disclose as a flaw. Measurements are noted on our photos. So rare - this one. 

** 

Order Militaire de  NOTRE-DAME  du  MONT-CARMEL

L'Ordre de Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel fut créé en 1607 par le Roi Henri IV et fusionna avec l'Ordre de Saint-Lazare-de-Jérusalem en 1608 (Cf. ci-dessus).

De grands bourgeois ou petits nobles furent décorés de cet Ordre par Louis XIV qui voulait honorer ses meilleurs et plus brillants sujets. Ainsi furent décorés Colbert, Louvois, Mansart, Le Nôtre, ...

Dissous officiellement par la Révolution, l'Ordre continua cependant à exister en exil au cours duquel il fut distribué aux partisans de Louis XVIII pendant toute la durée du règne de Napoléon I°. De retour d'exil, Louis XVIII le conserva mais ne le distribua plus.

Military Order of NOTRE-DAME du MONT-CARMEL

The Order of Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel was created in 1607 by King Henry IV and merged with the Order of Saint-Lazarus-of-Jerusalem in 1608 (see above).

Large bourgeois or small nobles were decorated with this Order by Louis XIV who wanted to honor his best and most brilliant subjects. Thus were decorated Colbert, Louvois, Mansart, Le Nôtre, ...

Officially dissolved by the Revolution, the Order continued to exist in exile during which it was distributed to supporters of Louis XVIII throughout the duration of Napoleon I's reign. Back from exile, Louis XVIII kept it but no longer distributed it.