Antique c.1795 Signed Portrait Miniature Snuff Box, Pretty French 7 yr Old Girl, 18k Pique
Spectacular miniature, 18k gold pique trimmed shell table snuff box with a rare and exceptionally fine 3/4 portrait of a child. The little girl is ID'd and both her age (7) and the date, 1795, are noted. Long brunette ringlets fall across her shoulders and she is picking flowers outside. A tree and floral bushes in view, a flower tucked into her headband. Her dress is intriguing, as well, with what looks to be large pearls attached around the sleeves, and that large figural blue belt at her Empire waist. Pleated/gathered skirt in such a pretty color. And the innocence of her pretty child's face. Children's portraits are quite rare. Perhaps mounted as gift to her dear Papa, or Mamon, I don't even want to think it might be a memorial of a beloved lost child, but that is also possible. Very good to excellent condition for age and type. It is 225 years since her likeness was put down in gouache on thin natural wafer, then set into 18k gold mat of the table snuff box. One can find no flaws