An interesting find, this one. And I'll tell you what drew me to it was the scene depicted in the miniature painting, 'eglomise' or back-painted glass. I'd seen that scene before in paintings, and it was revived for a related story recently in the series about Russia's Catherine The Great. I won't explain that one, but the original scene below is a depiction of the French military officer, John-Baptiste Bernadotte (also called Prince De Ponte-Corvo) who became Charles XIV John, (Karl Johan), King of Sweden. This is the arrival of this Frenchman, c.1806, a former French Revolutionary soldier who then fought in several Napoleonic campaigns, but shifted allegiances and formed Swedish alliances with Russia, Great Britain, and Prussia, which defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Leipzig. All fo that to say, Sweden was very weak, and Bernadotte's alliances placed him to lead Sweden with strength. He did so for several years and then was elected Crown Prince of Sweden in 1810, and became Regent, then King of Sweden and Norway (1818-44). Odd that I would know the story from the arrival scene, perhaps. I've spent so much time in museums and immersed in history. This must have been made as a celebration piece in or around those events. Very unique miniature painting that it bears. Measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition throughout, age and type considered. Obviously it has been very well treasured. Rare to find these early 1800s French glass sets without loss or damage. Or the loss of inkwell caps, or eglomise. I can list a couple of very tiny flaws for you: a rim chip marked with "x" on photos, bottom right of alabaster plinth or base; a couple of very tiny flakes of paint in the sky of the painting; a couple of minuscule nicks to the outer rim of the elegant cranberry glass center bowl. That's it. And you'll have to actually search to see those. Historical and intrinsic value combine on this one - plus it's just fabulous!
