Fine lathe-turned earliest 19th century French burl wood snuff box with an exceptional gouache miniature on ivory depicting the classical subject of Roman Charity (Caritas Romana). The finely painted scene displays unusually high artistic quality, with delicate modeling and refined neoclassical coloration far above the standard typically encountered on decorative snuff boxes of the period.
The interior retains its original tortoiseshell-effect lining. An old handwritten French label to the underside appears to describe the miniature as painted d’après (“after”) another composition, possibly by a student following the work of a professor or master, adding an appealing academic and artistic dimension to the piece.
Condition: Very good to excellent condition for age and type, Minor wear consistent with age and use. No real flaws to painting, box nor interior lining. The miniature remains beautifully preserved with strong color and excellent presence.
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.
