A circular tortoiseshell snuff box, early 19th Century.

The lid is inset with an enamel portrait miniature of Louis XIV as a young man, within a gold mount; the rim impressed with overlapping leaves. 

School of Petitot, diameter 8.5cm.

A paper inside the box is inscribed:  ‘Supposed to be Lewis XIV. Enamel miniature by Petitot. Given to me by Lord St. Helens between 1824 and 1830. To be placed in Jewel Closet glass case Burghley House – Isabella Exeter’.

Isabella Exeter was the wife of Brownlow, 2nd Marquess of Exeter (1795-1867).

The Swiss-born Jean Petitot (1607-1691) was the first great miniature portraitist in enamel.

He worked at the courts of France and England for most of his career.

REFERENCE: VER12017

Related collections