Bonbonnière à portrait en nacre à monture en or de deux tons, France, circa 1765

ronde, le couvercle orné du portrait de Madame Sophie de France (1734-1782), d'après Liotard, vers 1750/1, bordée de feuilles de palmes ciselées, la boîte ornée de petits triangles de nacre multicolores, les montures en or ciselées et striées, l'intérieur doublé d'écaille de tortue, apparemment non poinçonnée

circular, the lid inset with an earlier miniature of Madame Sophie de France , within a palmette-chased frame, the ground inlaid overall with multi-coloured mother-of-pearl triangular segments, chased and reeded gold rims, the interior lined with tortoisehell, apparently unmarked

generally sparkling, the sides with some mother-of-pearl losses, a very unusual and pleasing box.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Née en 1734, Madame Sophie était le huitième enfant et sixième fille de Louis XV et Marie Lescynska. Plutôt timide et effacée, elle était très influencée par sa soeur Adélaïde, avec qui elle s'installa dans le beau château de Bellevue, l'une des anciennes résidences de Madame de Pompadour, pendant le règne de leur petit-neveu Louis XVI. Le portrait au pastel de Liotard fut peint vers 1750 et est conservé au musée d’Art et d’Histoire, Genève (inv. no. 1963-0058).

Born in 1734, Madame Sophie was the eighth child and sixth daughter of Louis XV and Marie Lescynska. Of a timid and retiring disposition, she was much influenced by her elder sister Adélaïde, with whom she moved to the beautiful château de Bellevue, formerly one of the residences of Madame de Pompadour, during the reign of her great-nephew Louis XVI. Liotard’s portrait in pastel, from which this miniature is taken, was painted around 1750 and is now in the musée d’Art et d’Histoire, Geneva (inv. no. 1963-0058).