Box With Military Miniature Portrait Grand Cross Order Of St Louis XVIIIth, Tortoiseshell & Gold XIXth

Magnificent gold and tortoiseshell box with a portrait of an 18th century man.

The box is round, it is in first quality blond tortoiseshell.
The edge is concave, which is typical of the first half of the 19th century. The opening is enhanced by two yellow gold strappings.

The lid is decorated with a very beautiful portrait of a man which is very probably older than the box, from the 18th century.
It represents a man in bust, slightly obliquely, looking at the spectator. He wears a fashionable wig from the first half of the 18th century. He wears the red ribbon and the great plaque of the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Louis. It is therefore an important soldier, to be identified.

The portrait is finely executed and represents well the calm face of a man who has succeeded in his life, as evidenced by his decorations.
The portrait is highlighted by a gold strapping and an internal frame stamped with a geometric pattern, probably also in gold.


The lid of the box is also encrusted with a network of interlacing, curves and reverse curves planted with three golds (yellow gold, pink gold, green gold) and silver.

The whole is absolutely superb in its preciousness and delicacy.

The gold rims are hallmarked with the head of an eagle. There is also a badly struck and illegible silversmith's mark.

It is a superb box, with a quality portrait representing an important character of the Ancien Régime, made with precious materials and techniques.

2.8" in diameter
3.3 x 2.6 cm at sight for the only miniature

2.6cm tall

57.8 grams

Very good condition except for an eater at the base of the box. Small scratches from use.

Hand-delivered in Paris or sent by insured colissimo.
France: 15€
Europe: 20€
World: 35€