Napoleonic era, French Empire portrait miniature, signed by the artist (Burgue), and beautifully preserved now over 200 years. Mesmerizing eyes in light brown with the fine detail of long sweeping eyelashes. Interesting braids and an Empire tiara set to the side in her upswept hair. Low cut Empire gown with intricate embroidery, perhaps sequins and pearls, the artist has captured for us. I have had her out of her mount in order to clean the interior of her convex cover glass and the painting is so delicate and superb, undamaged. The slender border mat is 18k gold, thin and delicate, as well. Together with the fine old tortoise shell box, it's a thrilling antique treasure! Note that her face, with those long eyelashes, arched brows and enticing eyes is only 1/2", chin to hairline. All measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, no breaks or flaws to note on the painting, no warp to the wafer. Original convex cover glass is in place and fine, and the slender light border mat is 18k gold. Snuff box in fine 200+ year old tortoise shell has no chips, hairlines, cracks. Just beautiful start to end!
IMPORTANT NOTE regarding antique tortoise shell or ivory: We are great supporters of protection for endangered species in our modern world. We never buy or sell anything 100 years or newer; we donate to anti-poaching organizations; we don't hunt; we conserve in ways that impact global warming (we're totally solar at home), knowing those measures also protect the animals in the wild today. We also recognize the vast cultural history we preserve with our care and reverence for these antique objects, and agree with CITES that objects over 100 years of age have nothing whatsoever to do with species depletion in our current world.
Our offering exceeds the age limitation of "more than 100 years of age", and is well within the exemption for CITES regulation. If imported, met the CITES regulation. This item will be handled and shipped from our Utah business, and is not available for shipment internationally, nor within the USA to California, NY, Nevada, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington if it contains ivory, sorry. Please see our small print for more details.
