Antique French Portrait Miniature, Young Pre-Teenage Boy, Gutta Percha Frame Staffordshire all pieces fit and the

all pieces fit and the box itself is in great shape

and is without any damage to the many inlays or to the painted top

but it is the French control mark for 18k gold

The copper/bronze patina is beautifully preserved

Antique French Portrait Miniature, Young Pre-Teenage Boy, Gutta Percha Frame Staffordshire all pieces fit and theThe frame is as valuable as the painting on this old one, and represents one of the few very early gutta percha frames made. Not to dismiss the hand painted portrait, mind you, as he is a sweet c. 1839 or 1859 (signature) boy in a too large suit, probably his father's jacket. His youth is obvious, probably about 10 13, and hair is neatly cut in a style popular in 1840 50, so we agree the painting is about that date, both for his image and for the