Description
Exceptional portrait box featuring Louis XIV and Maria Theresa of Austria. Enameled portraits by Jean I Petitot on gold, diamonds mounted on silver. Circa 1660 - 1680. H. 50 mm. Width: 71 mm. Gross weight : 47 g. This double enameled portrait of Louis XIV and his first wife Marie-Thérèse of Austria is one of the many diplomatic presents used by the Sun King to secure the allegiance of powerful people. Known as a portrait box, this type of object derives from the "boettes d'or servantes à mettre un portrait", precious cases protecting the fragile paintings on vellum intended to reveal the faces of their patrons. Under Louis XIV, the containers gradually gave way to their contents, with the enamelled portraits now displayed in a sumptuous surround of diamonds taken from the famous Golconde mines. Our "box" features two gold-enameled oval miniatures, set in a slightly closed corner, each surrounded by 14 large diamonds. The whole is topped by a crown of diamonds, all set in silver. The reverse features two oval medallions, also enameled on gold, with a turquoise-blue background, known as "bleu mourant", one featuring the figure of King Louis XIV, the other that of Maria Theresa of Austria. These medallions are set within enamelled borders of black and pink foliate scrolls, while the reverse of the crown is set with an enamelled field echoing the decoration on the obverse, all in a style later adopted by silversmith Thomas Lejuge in his 1676 collection of models, himself inspired by the productions of Jean Pittan and Laurent Le Tessier de Montarsy, who supplied a number of portrait boxes. Among the 121 diamonds making up this piece, one of which is missing today, all 28 diamonds surrounding the portraits are rose-cut with six main triangular facets (except one, which is table-cut). This perimeter is punctuated by smaller diamonds in closed settings. Four teardrop-cut diamonds are pear-shaped, three of which are set on the crown and one in the middle. The technique used to make our "boëte" is very similar to the one in the Louvre Museum. We find the same diamond cut, the same setting, the same way of incorporating the figured medallions into their enamel frame, and the same enamel crown decoration on the reverse. Louis XIV and his wife Marie Thérèse are depicted as young men. The two enamel portraits are attributable to Jean Petitot l'Ancien, the famous miniaturist whom Dezallier d'Argenville described a century later as the "Raphael of enamel painting". The King is depicted in armor, draped in a leontée and wearing the ribbon of the Order of the Holy Spirit. An identical enamel portrait, given to Jean Petitot l'Ancien, is preserved at the Musée National de la Renaissance in Écouen (inv. E .Cl. 20864). The portrait of the Queen was inspired by a portrait painted by Charles Beaubrun at the time of the marriage of Louis XIV and his wife. This portrait was reproduced in engraving by Nicolas Pitau (see below) and inspired other enamel portraits of the Queen by Jean I Petitot, including one very similar to ours in the Louvre (inv. 35678). A double portrait for a special occasion This double portrait presentation is unusual in relation to other portrait boxes preserved, but not totally unprecedented. The Victoria & Albert Museum, for example, holds a watch case featuring portraits of Louis XIII and his loyal Cardinal Richelieu. This unique enamel representation of the royal couple, however, raises questions about its purpose and, consequently, the identity of its recipient. A study of the available accounting and diplomatic archives concerning royal gifts suggests three hypotheses: - A gift made to celebrate the marriage of the King and Maria Theresa - A gift offered by the queen herself. - A gift in gratitude for the condolences offered at the time of the queen's death. Condition report Exceptional condition of the mounting and enamel on the enamelled portrait of Louis XIV, veiling in the upper right-hand section on the portrait of Maria Theresa of Austria due to subsequent alteration. Small chips to the enamel on the reverse and possible slight reworking to the numerals. A small diamond rose is missing in the lower center.
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Exceptional portrait box featuring Louis XIV and Maria There
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