A distinguished 18th century gentleman's portrait mounted on a 2 5/8" diameter (early) snuff box of tortoise shell, his face a mere 1/2" from chin to hairline. It's incredible to me how much the miniaturists (artists) were able to capture in such tiny form. Clear light blue eyes and rather fierce arched eyebrows, a direct view that enhances his dignity. I have not taken this miniature out of its frame. It's a little odd that it is double-framed on the snuff box, and it hints to me that it's not the original painting. I hesitate to take it apart, uncertain if there might be a 2nd portrait beneath. It is solidly in place. If it were not, I'd want to clean the interior of the convex cover glass. While in hand he is a clear fine painting, the digital camera will always focus on the closest thing, which in this case is the little dust inside. I'm not happy with our photos for that reason - he's much clearer to the eye. Perhaps I'll see if I can dismount it - will do new photos if so. Full measurements noted on photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. This one is over 250 years old. Notable: double frame, light dust underside of original convex cover glass, and there is one narrow chip to the tortoise shell rim of the lid where it joins to the center mount. Because of the way the box is made, indentation to the center, it does not show or catch the eye much at all, but it is there. You'll see it in our photos - about 1/8" but nearly 1/2" long at that center line.
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.
