Colonial America
Rare Hand-Colored Benjamin Franklin Portrait Snuff Box After the Famous 1777 Beaver Fur Hat Portrait by Cochin
c. 1805, Hand-Colored Polychromed Snuff Box with Portrait Image of Benjamin Franklin, France, Choice Extremely Fine.
This is a most historic Polychromed Snuff Box, measuring 2.75” in diameter x 5/8” high, with standard two-piece lid with base construction. The lid displays a beautiful Portrait Image of Franklin, who is shown wearing his famous Beaver Fur Hat and “Franklin” Spectacles. This image being after the 1777 Portrait by Cochin. Below the image is text that reads: “Benjamin Franklin,” also his birth place, Boston and date of birth, January 17, 1706 (in French). Minor chipping to a 1” area on the inside black rim, with expected actual wear to the inside portions from use. The Polychromed colors remain strong and highly attractive with some of the original gloss retained. This is a very rare and truly important period example of the high regard and tribute in honor of Benjamin Franklin.