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Boîte à portrait of Louis XIV

Miniature portrait by Jean Petitot Swiss
Mount maker Setting by Pierre Le Tessier de Montarsy French
ca. 1668
Not on view
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

Object Information
  • 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