Rare empire moss agate and gold snuff box with portrait miniature on ivory, France, circa 1810.

France circa 1810.

Empire Snuff Box, Circa 1810 (First French Empire), Moss agate, and tortoiseshell (Caretta Caretta Linnaeus1758) 18K gold mounts (engraved and pierced border, internal collar), portrait miniature in watercolor on ivory (Loxodonta africana (Blumenbach, 1797)), protective glass. An exquisite and rare French First Empire circular snuff box masterfully crafted from dark green moss agate, showcasing the natural stone’s characteristic dendritic mineral inclusions. The cover is made out of tortoiseshell (Caretta Caretta Linnaeus1758)) set with a superb portrait miniature painted in watercolor on ivory (Loxodonta africana (Blumenbach, 1797)), protected under glass. It depicts an elegant gentlewoman of the Napoleonic era styled with an Empire-period white gown with puffed sleeves and lace trim, an elaborate curly hairstyle decorated with a floral hairpiece, and a delicate double-strand necklace. The miniature is framed by a rich, engine-turned gold bezel featuring an intricate piquet work with festoon and floral elements in gold and silver. The profile of the box reveals refined double gold rim moldings along the closure. The interior retains its original gold sleeve and mounts. The agate is intact with no cracks or chips. The portrait miniature retains vibrant colors and exceptional clarity. Gold mounts are crisp and fully sound. (SHIPPING ONLY IN THE EU).

1” – 2,5 CM H 3” – 8 CM L 3” – 8 CM D

REF: D594