From my collections: Charming old table snuff, c.1770s, give or take a decade, the box is entirely decorated by hand in the manner of Vernis Martin, a layering of oil paint and varnish to achieve a depth and decorative style most beloved by Marie-Antoinette, France's ill-fated Queen. A beautifully crafted miniature painting of a young woman of that same era, signed by the artist and kept perfectly under the original convex cover glass in an engraved sterling silver mount. A fine and large table snuff, it is deeper than most at 1 3/8" tall, and is 3 1/8" in diameter. The painting is exquisite, as noted, and much expression and detail in that 1/2" face, chin to hairline. Powdered hair, low bodice. We do not have identity of the young beauty, but the artist might be traceable. See signature, which I believe is Ch. Bermy. 

Very good to excellent with age and type considered. The old Vernis Martin survives with a bit of crazing and a little loss, but not much. Age showing just as one expects of a 250 year old box. The brass trim bands are all tightly in place - none lost, which is often the case. The interior is beautiful old tortoise shell, and there is an age hairline visible (see images) on the lid half. Again, rare to find in such good condition. 

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