Antique 18th Century Tortoise Shell Portrait Miniature Snuff Box w Original Leather Presentation Case, Box Toothpick Holder all wood but the small

all wood but the small leaf of black muslin

I've spoken with some of my Japanese customers about helping me with the signature

all that color against the Napoleon III era's popular 'ebonized' finished wood makes it feel more like a jewel than a box

Unusual to have the sealed backside fully intact as in this one

Antique 18th Century Tortoise Shell Portrait Miniature Snuff Box w Original Leather Presentation Case, Box Toothpick Holder all wood but the smallDating c. 1750 70, Louis XV to XVI era, when profile portraits were more likely than full frontal. Physiognomy was the term, and sometimes an artist used a projected light shadow to get the profile perfectly accurate, then painted or drew the remainder. This gentleman is a distinguished land owner, possibly avocat (attorney) or an accountant or merchant. Not a Nobleman or royal. The painting is in charcoal, pencil, watercolor or gouache and done on