One of my all-time personal favorites, this magnificent little work of art is of top quality, subject and artistry, and yet I find no signature. An important man of his time, given the look on his magnificent face, mid-1700s gentleman leans on a table upon which his own snuff box is close at hand. Paintings of gentlemen with snuff box are rare and sought after, large or small. For a snuff box collector, sublime! The box is a pristine and heavy natural tortoise shell, lathe crafted and perfect. A fine quality, thick polished cover glass and a heavy double mat mount of 18k gold, tinting to rose/pink gold. In its entirety, just superb. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition throughout. The painting is truly magnificent - that gentleman's face, self-satisfied, his cleft chin, 5 o'clock shadow, even his cheek mole captured. Hair and clothing, he is well into detail for c.1750-60s, side curls a long braid tied with black bow. He may well be English - just a feeling. Will hate to let him go!
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.
