Large Romantic Snuff Box In Rose Gold, Tortoiseshell And Miniature From The Late 18th Century.

The box is round and made of brown tortoiseshell.
The base and lid are accented with two wide, pinkish gold rims.

The lid is adorned with a magnificent grisaille miniature depicting two women in a garden, facing a statue on a pedestal.

This pedestal bears an inscription that appears to read "from far as near." This allusion to love could explain this scene in which two friends, two sisters, two parents gather before the statue of a deceased loved one, testifying to their love in life, as in death: from near as well as from afar. This hypothesis is supported by the grisaille treatment of the scene, evoking the sadness of mourning.

This miniature is very well executed, with many details, particularly in the depiction of the trees and their foliage.

Under the box, an old label indicates a sale price: 25,000 francs.

The rims are hallmarked:
. Small oak leaf: hallmark of the jurande, known as the touchau, for very small works, for the year 1789.

Oeil: discharge hallmark for goldwork and small silverwork, in 1789.

In reality, these two hallmarks were used until 1792.

Superb box dating from the late 18th century, made of precious materials to commemorate the memory of a loved one with this beautiful miniature created by a talented painter.

7.8 cm in diameter
2.2 cm high

81 grams

Good condition. Minor scratches from use, a tiny missing piece on one rim.

Hand delivery in Paris or insured Colissimo shipping.
France: €15
Europe: €20
Worldwide: €35