A superb 18th century snuff box, lathe-turned of horn (note a few small bug bites visible), and mounted with a framed c.1750s portrait miniature of a beautiful young woman in the fashion of her time. The powdered wig in rows of the Louis XV era, and her long ringlet of pony tail across her shoulder. Pink cheeks and lips and her beautiful eyes have been incredibly captured in a face that is only 1/2" from chin to hairline. Impossibly intricate art work. The cover glass is flat. I think perhaps a replacement at some point and the wafer has a couple of light rubs showing which could be accounted for had that happened, too. The oval mat has a high gold to it, and it is likely it is faced with thin gold. Not just foil, but worked gold. I see that treatment on many of these pieces from mid-1700s, and from back you can see the bond of the gold and the brass it faces.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. In addition to the mention above, the portrait mount seems slightly fragile to me. I wouldn't take it apart again, the brass tabs have been worked more than enough and seem ready to break. Photos show it to you open and also with the same oiled Italian paper round which was inside when I bought it. It just lifts out. No breaks or damage to the inner lip, or the 2 halves of the snuff box other than, as noted, a few bug bite spots. Displays beautifully! A real prize, this one!
