Peter Balth. v.Muralt (1746-1814) «Box w. portrait of Maria Anna v.Branconi» (m)

PLEASE READ SHIPPING DESCRIPTION CAREFULLY BEFORE BUYING! To learn more about us please click on our profile This round box with tortoiseshell and gold mounting was produced in ca. 1790. A miniature with portrait of middle-aged noblewoman (her dress and hairstyle suggest the year around 1790) is inserted into the lid of the box. An old label that is affixed to the internal side of the lid provides the lady’s name – «Frau von Branconi». This inscription surely refers to Maria Antonia von Branconi (1746-1793), who was the mistress of Hereditary Prince Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand of Brunswyck and friend of Johann Wolfgang Goethe, and who in her youth was regarded Germany’s most beautiful woman. Our further images show two other portraits of Maria Antonia von Branconi and provide her extensive biographical information. This miniature was recognized by our friend, world-best specialist in portrait miniatures Dr. Bodo Hofstetter (Switzerland) as an original work of the Swiss portrait miniaturist of 2nd half of 18th century, Peter Balthasar von Muralt. According to Schidlof Peter Balthasar von Muralt was born in 1746 in Zurich and died in 1814 in Basel where he chiefly worked. Thieme-Becker mentions works by him in the Basel Kunstverein. Peter Balthasar von Muralt (1746 Zurich – 1814 Basel) was a self-educated Swiss miniaturist. He served as an officer of one of Swiss infantry regiments of French Army, and spent his free time playing violin and painting (at first copies after French miniaturists) portrait miniatures. During the French Revolution he left military service and came back to Switzerland. He lived in turn in Zurich and Basel. We are very grateful to Dr. Hofstetter for his generous help. Condition: box: fairly good; miniature: good, dust under the glas (never inspected outside of frame) Creation Year: ca 1790 Measurements: UNFRAMED: 6,3×6,3cm/2,5×2,5in FRAMED: 9,2×9,2cm/3,6×3,6inObject Type: box with miniature Style: Portrait Miniatures Technique: box: fairly good; miniature: good, dust under the glas (never inspected outside of frame)Inscription: label with sitter’s nameCreator: Peter Balthasar von Muralt Creator Dates: 1746 Zurich – 1814 Basel Nationality: Swiss Themes: GERMANSWISSLADYNEOCLASSICALROYAL PORTRAITBOXFEMALE PORTRAITLITERATURE SHIPPING OPTIONS:We ship priority registered regular Austrian mail within 48 hours after your purchase. Usually, shipping with regular Austrian mail takes 10-14 days (USA / Worldwide), 3-7days (Europe) and 1-2 days (Austria). Not depending on us (due to local customs, local post, etc) delivery may take longer. ***OBS: Austrian mail refunds cases of loss with maximum EUR 500. The shipping cost here is for an external full insurance of the item!PLEASE NOTE: We are NOT professional packers! We do our best but we do NOT bear responsibility in cases of damage if shipping with Austrian mail. PROFESSIONALLY PACKED (by Mail Boxes Etc.) and fully insured (INCLUDES INSURANCE OF FRAME) expedited service is available upon request and subject to EXTRA CHARGES. When contacting the seller please refer to item #36085 miaug22