With very little loss and full paintings on both top and bottom, and around the perimeter of the oval snuff box, or patch box - this one is just gorgeous. An 18th century box hand painted in the layered technique "Vernis Martin", named for the jBrothers Martin who developed the method of layering pigments and varnish to achieve a painting with depth and elegance. Vernis Martin objects are high sought after, as it was the favorite decorative style of the ill-fated French Queen, Marie-Antoinette, queen to King Louis XVI, last half of 1700s. A Romantic Era subject, Psyche, with her butterfly wings, offers the sacrifice of a lamb to Cupid, on behalf of the young man. A pair of doves speak to the love, and an unbroken jug tells us there is virtue (virginity) involved. Interesting inclusion, though, of a knife - often seen as an aggression. The scene is, essentially, a prayer for or longing for a true love. The box, itself, is a silver box upon which all the paintings have been done. It appears to me to be less than sterling, and I have not found the typical French punch mark or 'poinčon' which would confirm it at .800/1000 or 950/1000. Full measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. As you can see from the detailed photos, there is very little disruption to the old paintings - only a bit by the clasp and none at all on the full painting on lid and on bottom of the box. Beautifully achieved, each miniature painting has fine detail and tells a story. The silver mounts could use a bit more polishing than I did, but in person it is bright and looks lovely. I hesitate to work at it very much on Vernis Martin objects for fear of weakening the old painting. As you see, and quite typical for these, crazing to the old painting. A fabulous old treasure!
