A superb snuff box or patch box from the Marie-Antoinette and King Louis XVI era, mid to late 1700s, this French portrait miniature shows a very dignified gentleman in his white powdered hair. He's well protected under original cover glass and with the mountings of sterling silver, he's well mounted on the old snuff box. The green looks like shagreen (leather of stingray belly) but it is actually the Vernis Martin layering of oil paint and varnish popular in the era. A superb piece, and of museum quality and age/rarity. Measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. You can see there is a chip on the inner rim of the lining of the old snuff box, and an imperfection or two on that interior, but very little for an item of age. The outer box is superb, no chips or breaks, losses. The cover glass is original and the old sterling silver trim bands and mat are fully intact. Nicer in person, since the digital camera and lights strip some of the finer detail in the painting and we did not open this one up to scan the painting. It's exceptionally fine. I do not have an artist nor ID, however. Superb old one! Our photos are large and clear. We do expect our customers to review them all, evaluate the item based on both our description and our images. Thanks for all the compliments - we love what we do! Antiques & Uncommon Treasure - all the best, all the time!
