B1175 - SOLD

This is the most gorgeous antique French diorama I have ever seen!  It is a homage to Marie Antoinette and has been made in exquisite detail. Perhaps it was commisioned as a souvenir of a visit to the Palace of Versailles?

The diorama has a domed glass front with a silvered scalloped edge. As one looks through the glass you can see that the back is covered with a morceau of antique silk textile in a gorgeous shade of gold. In the centre is a print of Marie Antoinette. The print is framed with a fabulous gold metallic wire passementerie still bright and shiny and not at all faded by the passage of time. To each of the corners is sewn a faux pearl and in the centre of the bottom edge is a tear drop pearl. The print is crowned with a gilded rosette filled with little pieces of what appears to be jade.

To either side of the print is one side of a gilded filigree belt buckle. From one of these hangs a tiny cross and the other a little oval charm with the letter M & a cross on it.

When we turn the diorama over we see that it has a card back.  Hand scribed in ink at the top of the card is, we think, 'Montjoye Saint Denis', which is a heraldic motto. At the bottom in the same script is written 'Semper fidelis' - 'always faithful'. There is a series of initials and a wax seal. There is also a loop for hanging on a wall.

The diorama measures :- 18.5 cm (7.25 inches) wide x 15 cm (6 inches high.

This is an extraordinary diorama to perhaps add to a collection of Marie Antoinette memorabilia. It is from a carefully selected collection of gorgeous antique French decorative pieces at 'La Belle Étoffe'.

Please hover cursor over picture for magnified detail and click on picture for enlarged photo.

SOLD

• Postage:-
•                  France & U.K.  £10.00
•                  Europe           £15.00
•                  Rest of World  £30.00