Master Art

The miniature of the duc de Penthievre by Nicholas Halle (French fl. 1782-1795), the cover, sides and base with panels of translucent blue enamel embellished with white enamel dotting and flowerheads on a ground of engine-turned horizontal reeding, the oval miniature to th cover on ivory depicting the duc facing right in an embroidered silk coat with gold-braided borders, white embroidered lace jabot, wearing the blue sash and breast-star of the French Royal Order of the Holy Ghost and the red badge of the French Royal Military Order of St Louis, the jewel of the Golden Fleece about his neck, within a fluted gold frame, the frosted gold rims enamelled with translucent green leaves and dark blue pellets interspersed with foliate scrolls, the four side pilasters similarly adorned.
Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon (1725-1793) was the son of Louis Alexandre de Bourbon and his wife Marie Victoire de Noailles. He was also a grandson of Louis XIV of France and his mistress, Madame de Montespan. From birth he was known as the Duke of Penthievre.
Weight: 144.5.g