Rectangular snuffbox in gold with miniature signed Joseph Alphonse Boichard

Large and exceptional rectangular snuffbox in gold, featuring an oval portrait of a woman on ivory. The hinged lid is decorated with a half-length portrait of a woman on a gray background wearing a white, empire-waist gown and a red wrap embellished with a thin stripe. The woman is also wearing a coral parure set of a bandeau, earrings, and a necklace. The portrait is framed with intricately sculpted rinceaux on a matte gold background. The body of the box is embellished with four checkerboard panels framed in rinceaux friezes on a matte gold background. These same motifs of checkerboard and rinceaux also appear on the corners and base of the snuffbox. Miniature signed: J.A. Boichard.
Early 19th century work, circa 1809-1819.
Dim: Height: 0.8 in / Length: 3.2 in Depth: 2,36 in
Weight: 5.7 oz
Early 19th century gold marks: Rooster and Lion head (1809-1819)
Master Goldsmith: Nicolas Huguet, Paris. With 2 stars. (1787-1799) 24 Quai des orfèvres Paris

Miniaturist: J.A. (Joseph Alphonse) Boichard, a student of Vincent, the painter. He displayed his miniatures regularly at the Salon de Paris from 1804 to 1819.