I found at auction 3 miniature portraits which provenance stated they were from the personal collection of French author, Victor Hugo. This is one. No other information came with it as to ID or artist - just that it had been from his estate. The image of the kind is, however, directly after (aprés) a c. 1500s sculpture by Frans Porbus the Younger, a Flemish artist. The outer front frame tests at 18k gold, and since another came similarly done, I suspect they were once either mounted on snuff boxes or into a frame grouping figures in French history. This one is King Henry IV of France, an intaglio print of finest quality, hand colored and still with convex cover glass and the 18k frame. I did not open the frame to inspect or try to find more information so all images are taken through the slight distortion of the convex cover glass (occasional glares). Full measurements noted on the photos. A fascinating history to this c.1500s King! Frame is 2 1/4" in diameter, face is 7/8" chin to hairline.
Very good to excellent condition for age, seems likely to be an elaborate collection piece matching others in historical line of interest, and likely date to early 1800s or slightly before. The image is, as noted, a very fine intaglio plate print which has been hand colored. The front-piece of the frame is 18k gold, acid-tested. I see no flaws to report.
