A lifetime of collecting - what could be more fun! Decades of finding the very best antiques, primarily French, and all the travel and museum research, education that has grown from my passion. The treasures that have passed through our hands! This is one such. A magnificent little portrait, her face in just 1/2" from chin to hairline. Look at the incredible detail this artist has captured. I find no signature, but certainly an artist of immense skill. Eighteenth century, c.1750-80, her big powdered wig, crossed scarf (fichu) of diaphanous material and lace to soften and cover her ample bosom a bit. The artist has done a beautiful job of the lighting of the background, as well. I love that you see the back of the chair upon which she sits for her portrait. The snuff box to which her likeness is attached is in remarkably fine condition for age and type, as if she's been a treasure tucked away from time these past couple of centuries. Interior is pristine with its thin tortoise shell liner, no stains or odors, no loss - and the entire box formed of natural ivory, 250 or so years old, retains fine form but for a natural age/shrinkage crack in one spot on the side (visible for your inspection on our photos). That has had some sort of material inserted, which seems to have not only filled the space but secured it against further expansion.
Very good to excellent condition, all considered with age and type. Apart from the single hairline along side of bottom half, I find a very tiny nip to upper rim at about the 12 o'clock position. Also I have not removed her from her mount, so all photos are taken through the convex cover glass, causing some reflecting light. The box lid fits tight when in place. There is the rather curious issue of one of her eyes being slightly lighter. Still, incredible work of art in miniature. Fascinating!
IMPORTANT NOTE regarding antique tortoise shell or ivory: We are great supporters of protection for endangered species in our modern world. We never buy or sell anything 100 years or newer; we donate to anti-poaching organizations; we don't hunt; we conserve in ways that impact global warming (we're totally solar at home), knowing those measures also protect the animals in the wild today. We also recognize the vast cultural history we preserve with our care and reverence for these antique objects, and agree with CITES that objects over 100 years of age have nothing whatsoever to do with species depletion in our current world.
Our offering exceeds the age limitation of "more than 100 years of age", and is well within the exemption for CITES regulation. If imported, met the CITES regulation. This item will be handled and shipped from our Utah business, and is not available for shipment internationally, nor within the USA to California, NY, Nevada, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington if it contains ivory, sorry. Please see our small print for more details.
