Silver-gilt Box, Mother-of-pearl Painting, Hunting Scene Circa 1840

This beautiful rectangular hinged snuff box is made of chiseled silver gilt on all sides. The lid is decorated with a miniature painted on mother-of-pearl depicting a hare hunt. The scene in a wooded landscape is animated by four figures, including a shooter with a rifle, a dog on a leash and, of course, the main actor: the hare!
The details of the exterior decoration are gilt on a guilloché silver background, the grip is worked in chiseled repoussé of foliage and flowers.
The interior gilt is very fresh. Inside, on the bottom and lid, partial Austrian hallmark: letter B and partial date dating it to the 1840s. Unidentified maker's mark initials JH.

The miniature shows some retouching and has been protected by a restoration varnish. The transparency of the mother-of-pearl support brings depth to the scene, which seems to come to life when you handle the box.
Good condition, first half of the 19th century, circa 1840.
Dimensions 8.3cm x 5cm x 1.5cm
Weight 88g