Antique French Vernis Martin Nécessaire, Sterling Silver and Miniature Painting, c.1750s
A rare fine treasure, this! I can't be positive, but I believe that is the c.1700 city of Paris depicted in distance, as that tiny traveler walks toward it. This stunning vest necessaire (or carnet du bas) is framed in fine French sterling, a very early mark punched on the inner rim (see images), though I can't locate it in my reference materials. We know it dates to the time of or just prior to ill-fated King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, give or take 10 years. When this one arrived from Paris, very dingy and dirty, I did peel the locket frames out of their recess and cleaned the cover glass, only to find hand painted playing cards as backing, the ace of spades featured. That would have meant something to the owner or artist, whose signature is not to be found. Superb tiny painting is barely 1 1/4" wide, yet look at the incredible detail of it when greatly enlarged. A gatehouse, Shepard with flock of sheep, the city in distance. You can be sure this was at Court of Versailles at one