Ivory Portrait Of Louis XIV

Old inscription on the back: "To the beloved Louis de La Vallière." Oval carved ivory medallion depicting the left profile of Louis XIV. In a red damask frame with silver embroidery and gilt fleur-de-lis (21 x 17 cm). The reverse is engraved with a drypoint needle: "To the beloved Louis de La Vallière." An old note, also on the back, reads: "Portrait of Louis XIV in old ivory. Belonged to my close friend Eugène de Le Thuisy (drawing room of his château in Baugy, Oise). It was given to me, upon his death in 1913, by his daughter, the Countess de La Bourdonnay... To the beloved Louis de La Vallière." Historical context: Françoise-Louise de La Baume Le Blanc, Duchess of La Vallière and Vaujours (1644–1710), was one of Louis XIV's mistresses from 1661 to 1667. After the end of their deeply traumatic relationship, she turned to religion and entered the Carmelite convent in the Faubourg Saint-Jacques, where she took her perpetual vows on June 3, 1675, under the name Sister Louise of Mercy. Louis XIV paid her several visits at the convent, demonstrating the esteem he still held for her.