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Miniature water colour painting on ivory set in an ivory & tortoiseshell box. Depicts a nautical / fishing / marine whale hunting scene. Believed to date to the 18th century. Measures approx 3 inches in diameter. Complex composition with different groups of people, ships, ruins, rocky outcrops and mountains. On the left is a ruin of a stone bulding with Ancient Roman arches. On it, 6 people in pairs stand in different lighting and distances to the forefront. They are seperated by a body of water from a rocky outcrop in the front of the painting. Here, 4 people engage in various hunting activities, one of them appears to be shooting and one carries an oar/large wooden pole, assisted by another bent over figure. Further back on the sea is a boat with a number of people seated in it, somewhat shrouded in mist, while in the distance, behind the beautifully painted mountains, is a sailing ship. Mostly done in tones of blue and purple, with a burst of fire from the one figure in the front and some red and brown in the clothes of other figures. Condition of the painting is very good. The box is in good condition with one age crack, approx 1/4inch long on the side (see 'photos). |
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