This one is gorgeous. The c.1770s snuff box is a gem! A true museum piece. The Vernis Martin surface decorative style was Marie-Antoinette's favorite, named for the brothers Martin who developed the manner of layering paint and varnishes to achieve a truly new and unique surface and depth of decorative style. We see a revival of the style 100 years later, but those darken and no one has quite figured out the type of layered lacquer, varnish the Martin brothers used, which has retained its brilliant colors. Both patterning and foil used here, look at the old bottom of the box to see how it must have looked in M-A's time. The portrait miniature is charming. Unusual. Perhaps a favorite child of a servant, or a young mistress of some wealthy gentleman, in her kerchief and shawl. Quite unique, and now at 250 or more years, a spectacular collector's snuff.
Very good condition, shy of excellent for the loss of the rim that initially would have encased the upper half of the box, outer edge. The one you see is a period salvage replacement, and works beautifully but should be noted is like but is not the original. Otherwise, this is really quite excellent for age. The balance of the hand painted Vernis Martin decorative surface is lovely, and the shell lining remains in very good condition. Just that one rim. The small portrait miniature is a beauty, and unique in her fashion. She remains perfect beneath the original cover glass and mat mount. I did not take her out of the mount so photos are through convex glass. The snuff box is 3" in diameter, 1.5" in depth, which is also a factor of 17th century - deeper boxes.
