A Louis XV mid-18th century French 18 carat gold mounted portrait miniature inset snuff box, Paris 1768-1774 Of circular form with pull off lid, with chased gold mounts of trailing quatrefoils. The base of alternating strips of inset abalone shell, gold inlayed abalone shell and chased gold strips. The top of lid inset with an oval painted portrait miniature of a young lady in a yellow dress with her ribbon tied hair in high coiffure, glazed. The miniature within a chased mount of trailing laurel wreathes with crossed trophies below. The interior with tortoiseshell lining, the interior of the lid with an incised and gilt impaled coat of arms within a shield shaped cartouche. Marked to rim with charge and discharge mark to rim, makers mark and additionally stamped with incuse I&R. Diameter – 7.9 cm / 3 inches