Porcelain Checkerboard Box With Miniature, Louis XVI Style, France.

An elegant round porcelain box intended for a lady’s personal use, crafted in the refined aesthetic of late classicism with distinct features of the Louis XVI style. The body is made of fine porcelain, richly adorned with gilded bronze mounts set against a deep cobalt blue background. The decoration features a symmetrical composition of floral garlands, stylized rosettes, and ribbon bows, typical of French decorative arts at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.

The lid features a painted miniature centered within an oval medallion. It depicts an elegant young woman seated at a writing desk with a secretary. The gesture of her hand and her meditative expression suggest a scene of writing or reflection on a love letter, a subject frequently depicted in genre miniature painting of the period. The color palette consists of delicate pastel tones, with particular attention paid to the details of the costume and furnishings. The artist’s signature is present but remains illegible.

The inside of the lid features a mirror, emphasizing the object’s utilitarian function and its place within the intimate world of the woman’s boudoir. The interior of the box is made of undecorated white porcelain, creating a harmonious contrast with the richly ornamented exterior. Combining functionality with high decorative value, this box is a representative example of the refined French taste of its time.

Material: Porcelain, gilded bronze, glass (mirror), cobalt decoration.
Dimensions: Height: 7 cm; Diameter: 16 cm.
Condition: Good. Gilding is well-preserved with slight signs of age. Porcelain shows no cracks or restorations. Miniature is in good condition.
Provenance: European private collection.

ID-ANTQ-7959