Oh, you know I collect fine antique snuff boxes by now. And this is a favorite. While most have portrait miniatures, or tiny intricate plaitings of hair, or even excruciatingly fine carved ivories, this one has a stunning miniature landscape. So much the feel of the c.1700s Fontainbleau School, the pastoral view of a bridge, a tower of a Church's gothic features, a bell tower, perhaps in ruin, and a medieval looking squire and sentry seated on a rock, holding a spear or staff. And upon the rock are the initials, J D, perhaps our artist. Such a delicate painting, gouache on paper/card. The landscape and trees are a remarkable testimonial to the skill of the artist whose canvas in this one is approximately 3" in diameter. Miniatures fascinate me. The superb and perfectly preserved burled wood lathe-turned snuff box is a true work of artisan's art, too. Perfectly lined in shell, typical of these, over 200 years old. At nearly 4" in diameter, it is a table snuff. I would so love to know for whom it was made, and the significance and location of the scene.
Very good to excellent condition throughout, for age and type. Wood is perfect. Slightly convex cover glass is perfect. interior lining carved of shell is perfect but for a very tiny nip to the rim, marked for your evaluation. Superb tiny landscape painting on paper, a very slight halo ripple in sky, either from its creation, or from someone's attempt to clean the cover glass at some point and a tiny wick of moisture pulling under the glass's edge. There remains a very old paper stamp on rear, as shown. If you recognize the scene, do please email us. Thanks.
