? Victorian powder box

Wasn't sure which category this should go in but as usual ..am respectfully asking for your help. I've had this a very long time and truly love it. I thought Victorian but would be grateful for your input as well as if anyone can make out the artist named. thanks

 

Size?

 

about 3 " diameter and 1 and a bit high

 

Sweeet......but out of my wheelhouse !

 

Diameter about right for powder but shallow compared to most. What's going on with the underside of the lid? Does this seal closed well enough to be for snuff? Although, on the other hand, awfully big around for that. Were there table snuff boxes, not only pocket ones?

 

You are quite correct..more like 2 " high (sorry don't have it with me right now)
It does indeed close tightly. Not sure if there was a secondary cover on the lid so the work on the inside would not be visible.

 

For description purposes, lid appears ornamented with a miniature on porcelain centered in a red guilloché enamel border. Can't tell whether the miniature is painted or a transfer, likely to be a copy of the portrait of some famous society beauty, such as the Duchess of Devonshire.



Is there anything on the bottom? Looking for a clue to the metal.

 

Bottom has no makings and I'm 99.999% sure it is painted not transfer. Used 10x mag and to me looks painted. The Duchess is lovely!!

 

I would think that was early 20th century. Lots of similiars floating around internet. Portraits often described as Marie Antoinette but appear to be generic Georgian ladies.

Debora

 

When I get home I'll try to get better close up of the portrait and signature..didn't realize it was as unclear as it is.

 

Sounds like it could be for powder then. Seems more likely to have been for use by a lady than a gent. Maybe lid was lined with satin, something that way, rather than metal.

 

That may even be the one they were copying.

 

Looking at others, more likely a mirror got broken.

 

Hadn't thought of that!!

 

The red enamel with engine turning underneath is called guilloche, if you search google images for guilloche ormolu powder, you’ll find many like it. Probably not really ormolu but that's what most dealers call it.
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=guilloche+ormolu+powder

 

A search for 'powder box guilloche miniature' does a pretty good job too, many the same + some others.

 

thank you all very much..i'm off to look