Louis XV era couple, this gentleman and his wife remain beautifully preserved in the small original leather case, etui, with its elaborate gold embossment and clasp still in fine order. They are without cover glass, which is how these very early ones were. Taken along in travel, I suppose it is not certain it is his wife, but could be a mistress, instead. That was also typical of that era where it was much accepted in society. The back shows various auction house stamps from a couple centuries. There is no artist signature, and we have no IDs on the couple. Perhaps historians might recognize them but I can tell you only their timeframe. RARE to find sets like this without lots of damage.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, it is most typical for the unprotected paintings to have suffered surface damage in these cases, and for the cases also to have warped or lost their clasps, etc., but this original presentation set is superb! Tiny, measurements are noted on the photos. The added sweetness of her smile, and her low bodice, I think she is rather his mistress than his wife. Who knows.
