Spectacular miniature, 18k gold pique trimmed shell table snuff box with a rare and exceptionally fine 3/4 portrait of a child. The little girl is ID'd and both her age (7) and the date, 1795, are noted. Long brunette ringlets fall across her shoulders and she is picking flowers outside. A tree and floral bushes in view, a flower tucked into her headband. Her dress is intriguing, as well, with what looks to be large pearls attached around the sleeves, and that large figural blue belt at her Empire waist. Pleated/gathered skirt in such a pretty color. And the innocence of her pretty child's face. Children's portraits are quite rare. Perhaps mounted as gift to her dear Papa, or Mamon, I don't even want to think it might be a memorial of a beloved lost child, but that is also possible.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. It is 225 years since her likeness was put down in gouache on thin natural wafer, then set into 18k gold mat of the table snuff box. One can find no flaws to her painting, which is excellent. The snuff has inlays in 18k gold, recesses where likely silver round pique dots have fallen free over time. The flaw notable would be the thin inner lip of the box, lined in natural shell, which has chipped quite a bit - see images. It still closed nicely and is wonderful in display since that lip does not show when closed. All measurements noted on the photos.
