Miniature Painted Brooch 18k Gold Portrait Count De La Villirouët Lambilly 18th

Painted miniature presented in a solid 18-carat colored gold brooch, representing the portrait of the Count of La Villirouët* (1754-1845) in a frock coat, who was saved by the pleading of his wife Victoire de Lambilly (1767-1813, first female lawyer in France), during the Revolution, from the late 18th-early 19th centuries. Sold with a waistcoat that belonged to the Count of La Villirouët. This brooch is in good condition. No hallmark but has been tested with 18K gold. We are adding to this brooch a striped waistcoat that belonged to the Count of La Villirouët (it also recalls the clothing worn by the Count in this miniature). Please note: the peak of the brooch is missing, tiny scratches and slight wear from time, see photos. Tears and wear of the fabric for the waistcoat (in its own juice). This miniature (and the waistcoat) comes from the Breton family of La Guerrande, related to the family of La Villirouët by marriage. Thus, the family of La Guerrande, current owner of the castles of La Touraille and Lémo, descends from Count Paul de la Villirouët (1829-1919), mayor of the commune of Augan (Morbihan) between 1871 and 1900. Thus on the death of the count, his possessions passed to his son-in-law Pierre Libault de la Chevasnerie, whose eldest daughter married René de la Guerrande, Count of Hurlières (1891-1964). * Marie-Victoire de Lambilly, Countess of La Villirouët (1767-1813) would be the first woman in France to plead before the Military Commission of Paris. Daughter of Pierre de Lambilly, Marquis de Baud-Kerveno, Baron de Kergroix, Viscount du Broutay, and Françoise de La Forest d'Armaillé She married Jean Baptiste Mouësan de La Villirouët (1754-1845) in Rennes on 12 June 1787. She brought the lordships of Locminé, Moustoir-Ac and Remungol as her dowry. During the French Revolution, her husband was imprisoned in Lamballe between 1793 and 1795, then arrested again by the revolutionary police and tried in Paris before a military commission in 1799 for desertion, following his emigration during the Revolution. On his return from England, he faced execution. During her trial, Victoire de Lambilly obtained exceptional authorisation from the president of the court to defend her husband herself, pleading alone before the commission, and succeeded in obtaining his unanimous acquittal. From 1800, removed from the list of emigrants through Joseph Fouché, the Countess's family stayed in Nantouillet. The Countess had the opportunity to meet Empress Joséphine on March 17, 1810 and Napoleon on July 1 following. She is considered the first female lawyer in Brittany and France. Dimensions Brooch dimensions 5 cm x 4.3 cm Window 4.2 cm x 3.3 cm Gross weight 28.97 grams Reference: 940 183 - F30 1196 All photos are on: www.antiques-delaval.com