Rare Antique French 18th C. Portrait Miniature Snuff Box, Vernis Martin, Artist Signed
From my collections: Charming old table snuff, c.1770s, give or take a decade, the box is entirely decorated by hand in the manner of Vernis Martin, a layering of oil paint and varnish to achieve a depth and decorative style most beloved by Marie-Antoinette, France's ill-fated Queen. A beautifully crafted miniature painting of a young woman of that same era, signed by the artist and kept perfectly under the original convex cover glass in an engraved sterling silver mount. A fine and large table snuff, it is deeper than most at 1 3/8" tall, and is 3 1/8" in diameter. The painting is exquisite, as noted, and much expression and detail in that 1/2" face, chin to hairline. Powdered hair, low bodice. We do not have identity of the young beauty, but the artist might be traceable. See signature, which I believe is Ch. Bermy. Very good to excellent with age and type considered. The old Vernis Martin survives with a bit of crazing and a little loss, but not much. Age showing just as one expect