A lovely young woman portrayed in a miniature frame. Watercolor and ink on paper, unsigned or dated, set into a chased brass frame with ornate embossing, with large round bail. Verso with oval window with beveled glass and a braided hair keepsake. Approx. 2-3/8" x 2-1/16", measured without bail. The young lady is dressed in a simple sombre outfit and wears a contemplative expression.
Portrait miniatures such as this were keepsakes one could carry with them on travels to keep loved ones close, and often included a sample of the loved one's hair as a physical momento. They were also used to introduce people to prospects for marriage and so would display significant traits that would enhance the match. Most usually women were depicted without the adornment of jewelry before a marriage. This piece may be one such depiction, representing the sitter as modest and thoughtful. In the second half of the 19th Century, the development of daguerreotypes and photographs contributed to the decline in popularity of the miniatures.
300/500 Sold $80.50
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