This is a large and quite heavy late 19th century French powder jar, thick wheel-engraved and faceted glass bowl slips into the dore bronze and ormolu casement, making it into a lovely vanity top item, or part of your display and collection of portrait miniatures. The inset portrait miniature is one for market, not the finest we've encountered, but she's lovely atop the large casket. The artist has signed the hand painted portrait, which is done in gauche or water color on thin natural wafer (as expected). The box has a hinged lid, the interior of which retains the original heavy beveled glass mirror. A fine dressing table object for the antique lover or Francophile in your life.
Very good condition, with one flaw to note: there is a 2" long hairline in the glass insert, on side, visible only if the glass is removed from its ornate dore bronze encasement, or if you turn it inside so it is not behind the dore bronze when inserted. We've shown it clearly in our images for your inspection. It's stable, not going anywhere (Isn't there a 'windshield doctor kit' that will work on these cracks like they do on my windshield dings? Surely it would make this perfect again). Other than that, there are no faults or flaws to note. A fine, if slightly flawed, rare large powder box, late 19th century, French.
