Absolutely French, this glorious hand painted in the manner of Vernis Martin (look up the process on the internet to learn more about this favorite decorative style of Marie-Antoinette), this superb large snuff or patch box is a remarkable 200 years old and more - the experts invariably date these to the Louis XIV period, late 1700s to earliest 1800s. I fully agree with them, and the museum piece you see here might well have spent time at Versailles amid the courtiers of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette's marvelous palace there. Amazing to think of the history this one brings with it, and a very RARE offering, truly. These oldest ones do not come available often and I am particularly thrilled to own several at the moment in case you're looking for a tabletop collection (just ask). Entirely hand painted, the sides of the box with foliate or laurel bands and several Classical themed figures or figural groupings. The top holds a hand painted miniature with a Diana the Huntress motif, bow and arrow filled quivers. Fabulous!
Very good condition for age and type, with some wear or loss to the painted surface which is quite normal for these old ones. Some evidence of professional restoration to paint only. No age or shrinkage cracks to the lathe-turned ivory box. The top miniature oil painting is painted on a slightly convex bronze panel, there is unfortunately one round spot where the paint has been chipped off. See pictures for measurements.
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.
