Antique French Miniature Portrait Portrait of a Lady as a Vestal Virgin cigar tantalus A black and white kitten

A black and white kitten is seen peering into the silver dish curiously observing a fly

depicting a lady in a powdered wig wearing a hat edged with roses

appears to be a scuff or two in the paint at the upper right of the stairwell

The set consists of a pair of jam spoons

indicating the stopper is original

Antique French Miniature Portrait Portrait of a Lady as a Vestal Virgin cigar tantalus A black and white kittenAntique 19c French miniature portrait of a Lady depicted as a Vestal Virgin, the powerful priestesses of Rome's sacred flame. She is portrayed with a veil and gowned in white, posed beside the sacred flaming brazier. The allegory of the Vestal Virgin in Roman society represents the ideal of chastity, religious devotion, and the preservation of the state's well being, with the Vestals acting as guardians of the sacred fire and facing severe