Antique Enamel Miniature Portrait Saint Fabiola on Gilt Bronze Oval Jewelry Box / Casket - c. 19th Century, France

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$1,200.00

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Extraordinary gilt bronze oval jewelry box / casket lined in green velvet and decorated with a stunning miniature portrait of Saint Fabiola in profile wearing a red veil. It is signed on the center left with an artist monogram (apparently JFR) and the inscription d'apres Henner. Jean-Jacques Henner (1829-1905) was a French classical painter who painted the original 1885 portrait which inspired this miniature. Saint Fabiola was a 4th Century Roman Patrician (aristocratic) woman who, defying the custom of the time, divorced her dissolute husband and remarried while he was still alive. After the death of her second husband she devoted herself and her great fortune to care for the poor and infirm founding a hospital in Rome and, together with former senator Saint Pammachius, a hospice for pilgrims coming to Rome. In very good used condition with wear to green velvet lining, shelf wear to box underside and minor imperfections as shown. Shipped fully insured with tracking number. Measurements: Box: 5" wide by 3.2" deep by 1.3" high (12.8 cm by 8.2 cm by 3.4 cm); Visible Image Miniature: 2" diameter (5.2 cm) approximately. Item ID: 1957