Does it seem a bit racy, even for 18th century? While today's collectors would consider this a 'naughty', a category of sensuality and sexuality on display, sometimes even raunchy, this pure virgin who posed thus is simple an artistic allegory of the fresh flow of the river. A picture of youth flowing as the waters of a river flow - it's a painting of innocence and life sustenance at the same time, based on the iconography. Isn't she lovely! Tucked under an arm, she carries an everlasting flowing vessel, from which a river flows. We don't have an ID of the artist's model or muse, nor is there a readable signature, though 2 places hint of one. She is kept under the original slightly convex cover glass, mounted in a mat with 18k gold facing (brass backing, the gold edge is barely discernible with a loupe and is a thin facing as we regularly see in fine items of this era (mid-1800s, Louis XV era). Additionally, the inlays, an s-curve pique border is also made up of 18k gold with a tint to rose, making the transition to the maroon composition snuff box. We've had this type before, and I still an uncertain how the body of the box is composed - I'm told super-fine pulped horn or shell, or possibly wood, in a mystery mix which also has adhesion through the caseins and proteins of blood or milk. Note the starburst on bottom, and the repeated motif around the sides. Inner liner is also composition, or possibly leather, with the slender lip of traditional shell. Measurements are noted on photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, with a couple of very small imperfections along the bottom outer rim of box, and one along the side of top. The only other flaw notable is the single missing S-curve pique inlay at about the 9 o'clock position. All the rest are smooth and tight in their recesses - hardly noticeable, but we like to mention all for your consideration.
