An unusual late 18th century French or Swiss gold mounted lacquer snuff box, circa 1793 Of circular form, with pull off lid. The exterior of red translucent guilloche style lacquer mounted in plain bands, the lid with a large inset oval painted portrait miniature of lady with a large coiffure with ribbons and roses, the sitter wearing gold jewellery consisting of a collier d’esclavage as well as boucles d'oreille earrings, glazed. The portrait miniature signed to the lower right hand corner L or H . D and dated 1793. The interior with painted straw work of flowers. Strick twice to the lid edge with later French owl control mark (post 1893). Diameter – 6.3 cm / 2.5 inches Provenance: A private Anglo-French collection