I did not take this handsome military officer out of his 18k gold mount, frame, the front panel didn't seem to want to move out of its cradle (locket) so you see him only through the rather thick and beveled cover glass which causes some distortion for which it is regrettable. My lens seems to focus on the surface of the glass, making the portrait within slightly blurry, which it is not. He is either painted on mother of pearl, or backed by mother of pearl wafer, which can be seen from the back. My guess is he is painted directly on that pearl wafer. Quite typical of very fine miniatures from the Napoleon III era, which is accurate also for this painting. Such delicate treatment of his uniform. I might be wrong - I'm not an expert in military uniforms, but I think the portrait is Napoleon III era, c.1850-70. We have no ID, and if the painting is signed, it is buried beneath the perimeter of the frame. That brooch mount is 18k gold, all but for a brass oval visible from back, and over which the gold mount has been fashioned. An unusual removable pin, the mechanism shown in detail on the photos. From my collection, purchased in France.
Very good to excellent condition throughout. No chips, cracks, hairlines or other loss to report by way of a flaw. The gold is acid-tested, opulently formed and I'm quite sure that top lifts out to access this painting (to have inserted it), but it doesn't want to easily slide out and I'm not about to force it. No hinge apparent, so it's got to be the insert-type locket. No gold mark that I've found, though the French poincon is always so tiny, I might have missed it somehow. It does test 18k, and is 2" x 1 5/8" oval. His handsome face is just 5/8" from chin to hairline.
