Jewelry Box with Portrait of Madame de Sévigné

Louis-Philippe jewelry box crafted of crystal and gilt bronze. The ormolu lid chiseled with garlands of roses, is decorated with a miniature featuring Madame de Sévigné. Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise de Sévigné (1626-1696) was a French aristocrat and writer, one of the great icons of French 17th century literature. The crystal body of the box is highlighted with ormolu garlands of flowers and ribbons. The bottom of the box is carved with a radiant pattern. The jewelry casket rests on three feet embellished with foliated scrolls and shells. The miniature is signed Marc (for Marc-Louis Arlaud?). circa 1840 Dimensions: W 5.9 in, D 5.1in, H 3.1in. Dimensions: L 15cm, D 13cm, H 8cm. Literature Marc-Louis Arlaud (1772-1845) was a Swiss portrait painter, student of the miniaturist Antoine-Louis Romanet from 1797, then of Jacques-Louis David from 1799. He worked in France until 1811, when he was expelled for a crime of opinion concerning the Napoleonic regime. He returned to Switzerland, in Lausanne, where he worked until his death in 1845.