Oval, the cover, sides and base set with panels of coin-pattern engine-turning within vari-colour gold foliate borders, the sides and base each centred with an oval sablé cartouche chased with musical trophies, the cover set with an oval portrait miniature, on vellum, of King Louis XV (1710-1774), signed 'Welper', lower left, within a later silver-mounted diamond surround
3 in. (84 mm.) wide

Galerie Koller, Zurich, 17 November 1980, lot 6709.

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Lot Essay

Melchior-René Barré was apprenticed to the master goldsmith Jean Frémin in 1751and became master in 1768, sponsored by Jean-Louis Bouillerot and living place Dauphine. In 1774 he has moved to the quai des Orfèvres, advertising the loss of 'une tabatière marbrée avec un portrait de femme'. Barré retired in 1791.
Jean Daniel Welper (ca. 1730-1789) born in Strasbourg was a miniature painter to Louis XV and a drawing teacher to the King's daughters. The greater part of Welper's miniatures were mounted on valuable boxes and used as gifts offered to foreign diplomats. The miniature is here after the portrait of Louis XV in full regalia painted by Louis-Michel Van Loo in 1763 now in the Chateau de Versailles.