A Louis XV mid-18^th century French unmarked gold mounted shell composite snuff box, probably Paris circa 1770

Of circular form with pull off lid, with chased gold mounts of trailing quatrefoils. The sides of alternating strips of composite bands of shell, the glazed underside of with saw cut and engraved initials TIBC, edged with lunettes against a foil background. The lid inset with a painted miniature scene of a lady kneeling in a pink dress inscribing into the rock before her the initials CR, glazed. Tortoiseshell lining.

Diameter – 8 cm / 3.2 inches

Weight – 96 grams