A rare piece, this one in the original c.1800 portrait etui, case, in superb shagreen (belly leather from the stingray, popular c.1750-1820), A young beauty, so magnificently done, we can enlarge her face and see her as if she were a large wall portrait, yet that face is only about 3/4" in height. She has soulful eyes, the typical hair style of the Napoleonic French Empire, and a tiara and earrings. She wears an Empire gown and we're able to date her between c.1800-1810 from those aspects and her presentation, even though there is not a visible artist's signature. One of the most beautiful from my collections. RARE in fine condition in shagreen case. The perfect fit of the original cover glass holds the painting in place. I have not ever dared to try to pry it out to see if there might be more information on papers within, or a signature or ID. The case is 3" in diameter and 1/2" thick when closed.
Very good to excellent condition, both case and painting. Deftly accomplished in gouache on typical thin panel of the era, there is no loss to the painting, none to the shagreen (though you can see there is a tiny imperfection at the hinge. Hinge and clasp working fine. This one has been well treasured, and comes originally from an anonymous estate offering, Paris.
