Boîte à portrait of Louis XIV
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.A jeweled pendant with a miniature portrait of the king, known as a boîte à portrait, was a standard gift presented to ambassadors after they took their leave of Louis XIV’s court. Although the Sun King distributed many such jewels, only three are known to survive; in most cases the precious stones were sold and the miniature recycled. The original recipient of this precious object remains unknown.
Artwork Details
- Title: Boîte à portrait of Louis XIV
- Artist: Miniature portrait by Jean Petitot (Swiss, Geneva 1607–1691 Geneva)
- Mount maker: Setting by Pierre Le Tessier de Montarsy (French) or his son Pierre (French, 1647–1710)
- Date: ca. 1668
- Medium: Painted enamel on gold, silver, set with ninety-two diamonds
- Dimensions: 2 13/16 × 1 5/8 × 5/16 in. (7.2 × 4.2 × 0.8 cm)
- Classification: Miniatures
- Credit Line: Musée du Louvre, Paris, Département des Objets d’Art (OA 12280)
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts