Snuffbox with a breast ornament with a portrait of Queen Mary

1752

Miniature portraits of rulers played an important role in 17th-century diplomacy. An unusual variant arose around 1670 in which the miniatures were set in diamonds. This breast ornament was a gift from Queen Mary, consort of King-Stadtholder William III, to a confidante. It was later mounted on the lid of a gold snuffbox.