Antique c.1770 to 1780 French Snuff Box, Vernis Martin with Portrait Miniature "Naughty" Beauty
Another from my collections, this old beauty dates to the era of King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, and was decorated in her favorite style, Vernis Martin. A process created by the brothers Martin, it consisted of a layering of paint and varnish, and sometimes a backing of foil, patterning. The finishes were and remain very beautiful. You can see from the bottom of this one, which has less darkening, that it was once a bright colorful and shimmering green. Brass mounted, the snuff box is beautifully lined and without loss to that tortoise shell liner - not even a nip to the inner lip. And up top, a young beauty in a bodice-open 'naughty' for her lover's pleasure. This was rather typical, at a gentleman's request, to have his mistress pose 'indiscreetly' for a small portrait, often mounted on his favorite snuff box. This poor darling seems a reluctant player, her face and stance not the least flirty, though indeed, her cheeks are blushed. Measurements are noted on the photos. Her face