PRESENTING A STUNNING little French Ring Box from the 18th Century, namely a French Louis XVI Brass and MOP Box with Miniature Portrait of Lady.
Box Lid is inlaid with mother of Pearl and has a hand-painted miniature portrait of a Lady of Importance, in period costume, under glass. (18th Century).
Signed on the bottom left and the signature looks like: “Auly”.
Fleur de Lis motif on lid indicating that is French rather than Austrian.
Beautiful chasing on the sides and super detail throughout.
Interior lined in original blue/purple padded lining to protect the trinkets.
Circa 1770-90, the reign of Louis XVI.
Dare I say it, but, the Lady has a striking resemblance to Queen Marie Antoinette!
Very high quality!
Bought by us at Auction in Ireland 20 years ago.
THIS IS A TOP QUALITY ITEM !!!
Probably purchased on an early ‘Grand Tour’.
Grand Tour:
The Grand Tour was the traditional trip of Europe undertaken by mainly upper-class European young men of means, or those of more humble origin who could find a sponsor. The custom flourished from about 1660 until the advent of large-scale rail transport in the 1840s, and was associated with a standard itinerary. It served as an educational rite of passage. Though primarily associated with the British nobility and wealthy landed gentry, similar trips were made by wealthy young men of Protestant Northern European nations on Continental Europe, and from the second half of the 18th century, by some South and North Americans. The tradition declined with the lapse of neo-classical enthusiasm and after rail and steamship travel made the journeys much easier when Thomas Cook made the “Cook’s Tour” of early mass tourism a byword.
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Tour
18C French Louis XVI Ring Box with Miniature Portrait of Lady.
Provenance: Bought at a High-end Auction in Ireland.
Dimensions: 3.25 inches Wide, 2.5 inches Deep and 1.10 inch tall
Condition: Very good original condition.
SALE PRICE NOW: $1,400
