Tobacco box medallion plate
Europe, XVIIth
Ivory
Wide. 10cm x H. 8cm approx.
Engraved on a blackened background of an elegant scene; a courtier already aged, embraces a young woman. He offers her a bouquet of flowers and holds her hand.
They are seated under a tree, opposite, a box on which rests a candlestick whose flame, still alive, seems to end. In the distance a village.
On the top, a ribbon bears the inscription: THE OLD MAN AND THE CANDLE AT THE END.
The scene suggests: MALHERBE's uncle and nephew.
Collection label on the back. Mounted on base.