Superb and early French portrait miniature, a young gentleman at desk, seated in an upholstered chair, a snuff box in his hand. On the desk lies an open book, the text of which looks like German to me. I've had him out of frame, cleaned the glass, and photographed the superb little painting, as you can see. There is a convex cover glass - the old original, 2 rounds of embossed paper, one with crowns. Also within, a handsome young French Napoleonic soldier, intaglio print. Surely somewhere in that mix lies a story, but I can only venture a creative guess. Might they both have been soldiers? Young men, students perhaps - friends? Beautiful little painting and 210 or so years of age by now. Full measurements noted on the photos. RARE to have a portrait holding a snuff box, and highly sought after by snuff box collectors for that very reason.
Very good to excellent condition throughout, though unsigned. Nicely framed and kept beneath the original convex cover glass, you can see the very slightest warp to the wafer if laid on flat surface (see images) which is quite normal for very thin natural wafer such as these tiny works of art are. Otherwise, not a flaw to report. very nice condition for age and type. Heavy cast frame with metal backing (might be a replacement), shows him perfectly and is a snug fit, frame with fine border patterning, Napoleonic.
