French tortoiseshell snuffbox with miniature, Late 18th - early 19th century

of circular shape made entirely of tortoiseshell (hawksbill sea turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, Cheloniidae) embellished in gold piqué with vegetal motifs and foliage.
The technique of piqué in tortoiseshell spread throughout Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries and quite all of them were inspired by the famous French engravers, among whom we can definitely find Jean Bérain the elder (1640-1711), but the most beautiful work came from Naples. In August 1683 the Duke of Gravina paid 3 ducats to Matteo de Turris for a Tabaci Tartaruga to make him a fine inlaid box. Called Tartarugari these Neapolitan craftsmen co-operated with the makers of musical instruments and clocks, and with cabinetmakers, when their skills were required. The three most notable Neapolitan craftsmen of the period were Nicolas de Turris, Giuseppe and Gennaro Sarao and Antonio Laurentis who was appointed goldsmith to the Court of Naples in 1747.

Item condion grading: **** good, general wear commensurate with age and use.