A fine and rare gilt-bronze and glass 'European lady' cage-mounted circular snuff box and cover, Qianlong, circa 1750-1780. Photo courtesy Bonhams.

Of cylindrical form rising to a domed cover, the circular top central panel featuring an unusually natural portrait painted on hardstone of a European female under a translucent glass domed plaque, her slender figure and pale complexion beneath her large hat with red ribbons at the rear, framed within a band of raised floral scrolls in relief at the shoulders, the sides inset with eight evenly-spaced agate glass plaques, cleverly formed with subtle tones of natural grain and textures. 6.7cm diam; 3.5cm high. Estimate HK$ 180,000 - 220,000 -€17,000 - 21,000)

Normally the portraits set into these boxes depict actual subjects commissioned from leading miniaturists in Europe. However, the European originals often have somewhat more personality than the individual depicted here by either a Chinese (or possibly Western) artist. For a typical example of a circular box set with a female portrait, see A.Kenneth Snowman, Eighteenth Century Gold Boxes of Europe, col.pl.400, where he illustrates a fine French gold box dated c.1777-8, set with a portrait painted by the leading British miniaturist John Smart.

Bonhams. THE SPEELMAN COLLECTION OF CHINESE 'IMPERIAL TRIBUTE' SNUFF BOXES. Hong Kong. 24 Nov 2013 13:00 CST - www.bonhams.com