Big and beautiful, done in late 1800s as a revival of the 1700s' Vernis Martin manner of decoration, this is a 4" diameter table snuff. The box seems like composition to me, though could be late-turned and layered paint/varnished wood. Likely a souvenir, it shows no damage. Yes, found in France.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. Typically one would expect to see more surface loss or chips on Vernis Martin paintings/decoration, as it is a layering of paint and varnish and can be rather thick. Some might mistake this for a 1700s box, but I'm positive it is one from 100 years later on, revival of the favorite decoration manner of Marie-Antoinette's, c.1750-70s. The newer ones, late 1800s, do not have the same lacquer or varnish recipe and they darken and 'crackle' more. Still a pretty box, and if you collect landscape snuffs, a must have!
