Antique French Empire Portrait Miniature Tortoise Shell Snuff or Patch Box, 18k, Tiara
The brilliant gadrooned outer mat on this stunning early 1800s snuff box does test 18k gold, and the portrait is stunning enough to have warranted this quality setting. The beautiful young woman in her Empire gown with bodice buckle also wears a fashionable Empire tiara beset with pearls to match her necklace and earrings. A superb portrait, she has a gentleness to her slight smile that radiates from her blue eyes, as if captured just in a moment. Beautifully painted, it is without artist's signature unless it can be found on the rim or within. I didn't not remove this one from the superb 200 + year old tortoise shell box. Full measurements noted on the photos. Very good to excellent condition for age and type. So well protected beneath original convex cover glass, our photos show very slight distortion of the convex glass, and also some reflective glare of the photo lighting. Likewise, you will see miniscule interior dust which you won't even see with a loupe - such is the nature of