This collection comprises an assortment of miniature hand-coloured paper dioramas, each housed in individual wooden shadow-box frames. The set includes several smaller units, a larger top-centre diorama, and a partitioned wooden storage box with a matching bevelled lid featuring a central rectangular handle. The scenes depict various romantic and pastoral vignettes featuring figures dressed in late 18th-century French costumes, characteristic of the Louis XVI or Directoire periods. The figures are positioned within garden settings, and several dioramas include moralistic or sentimental French verses.
The dioramas are constructed using hand-coloured engravings or lithographs that have been cut out and mounted in layers to produce a three-dimensional effect. The frames and storage box are made from a warm-toned hardwood, possibly fruitwood or mahogany. The partitioned box appears designed to accommodate the smaller components as a portable set or decorative cabinet.
Visible transcriptions include:
Bottom Right Frame: Le coeur le plus sauvage s’enflamme & s’engage (The wildest heart catches fire and commits).
Partitioned Box (Bottom Centre): L’amour toujours nous…
Large Top Centre Frame: Partial text includes …yeux que votre coeur… ne devienne…
Smallest frame: 60mm x 60mm
Largest frame: 180mm x 120mm
Partitioned box: 220mm x 150mm x 50mm.
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