Undated George Washington Round Snuff or Trinket Box.

82 mm X 30 mm thick. Gilt metal embossed portrait of Washington, bewigged and facing left. WASHINGTON is inscribed above, and it is signed MOREL FILS FECIT at lower rim. The portrait is covered with a domed glass crystal lens that has a few semi-circular chips or cracks around the periphery, but is complete and intact. The top and bottom of the tightly fitting box appear to be made, at least partly, of hawksbill turtle shell and are not threaded, but fit tightly together only by friction. The item shows no significant wear and appears to be in near new condition. The bezel securing the glass cover over the portrait appears to have been removed at one time and is not damaged - however it seems it is not fully re-inserted into the lid of the box. The sculptor is an elusive French artist, Eugene Morel, active in the early 19th century, who may have worked with his son during his later years. Many of his works are signed MOREL FECIT or MOREL F, others as this one: MOREL FILS FECIT. An attractive, historical, and intriguing antique -- well worthy of further study.