Another very early snuff, dating not later than c.1770s, this distinguished gentleman in his ruffled sleeves and cravat and his elegant blue velvet overcoat and vest, has tucked his hand into his vest in the manner thought most sophisticated for portraits of important men in his era. It's an iconic pose later revived by Napoleon, simply to propagandize his power. Sadly, we do not know who this powerful important gentleman was, and even though the painting is a remarkably fine small work of art, we have no signature by the artist. Imagine that much detail in a face only 5/8" from chin to slightly receded hairline! Truly a museum piece! Smallish, the box is just 2 1/2" in diameter, though it's taller than most - such was the fashion in his era. An opulent trim border of 18k gold (likely just the typical rather thick facing attached to the front of an otherwise brass portrait mount. I have not taken him out of the mount. Cover glass is clean and clear and so one might ultimately find a signature on the very edge, meant to be covered by the gold mat, or perhaps an ID given within. I just didn't wish to disturb him.
Very good to excellent condition throughout. Interior and the box, itself, are of fine dark chocolate tortoise shell, an inner lining showing the mottles in cognac. For a box of this age, excellent - though you will note that the bottom outer edge has a couple of very small nibbles from a bug. No breaks, no chips. Beautifully preserved!
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.
