Antique French Portrait Miniature of a Matron, Signed and dated c.1897, Fine French Frame mint julep A spectacular large example of

A spectacular large example of this very 1700s art

French made

and two drawers in the base with carved drawer fronts and turned pulls

paint on a box of lathe turned wood

I can't make it out

Antique French Portrait Miniature of a Matron, Signed and dated c.1897, Fine French Frame mint julep A spectacular large example ofWritten on the painting, in addition to that family shield I have not identified, is "Maria CH de la Bastine, 1897". When I found this one I thought sure it would be a listed artist, but I have started to think perhaps not, or perhaps it is the name of the Woman who sat for the painting. I have found nothing on either one. Perhaps someone will recognize the insignia on the shield included with her portrait. She is in her maturity, but look at her a