Antique c.1780s French 18k Gold Mat Tortoise Shell Snuff, Portait Miniature Drawing, Marie-Antoinette
A beautiful 3" diameter lathe-turned tortoise shell snuff box, 18k gold mat or mount, convex cover glass and a pencil drawing of a beautiful woman. I do believe this is either a drawing of Marie-Antoinette, or certainly of one of her favorites, c.1770-80. It was more common in 1700s to do profile drawings, portraits. It is possible it might be a souvenir either before M-A was beheaded, or a bit later on. I have not taken it out of its mount. The 18k gold mat is relatively thin, and I fear I would damage it if I try to remove. perhaps more clues would be held within. I have a BA in Drawing and Printmaking, and with a loupe, I am quite certain it is not a print and is a drawing. Slight reflective surface on thicker/harder press with the pencil leans to graphite and not to intaglio surface. Additionally, the 18k acid-tested mat would also suggest a finer piece than might be used on print. Measurements are noted on the photos. Very good to excellent for age and type, you can see that the i