Over the years I've owned perhaps 2000 portrait miniatures - maybe more. I have never had another that was salvaged and enlarged as you see in this one. The original painting is very early, mid-1700s, and in those times the paintings are decidedly smaller - quite amazing in detail as is this one (look at those expressive eyes, that 5-o'clock shadow of his masculine whiskers). Most often they are housed in leather or shagreen or ivori cases, or perhaps a locket. They don't have cover glass in the old cases. The small size rarely fit any frames after about c.1760. This one, in order to save it, someone has commissioned it enlarged. The original painting wafer adhered to a larger one and an artist has expanded the view accordingly. A very nice job of it, but again, quite rare to find this done. The frame you see here is also to the small size. The work likely done to expand it sometimes late in the 18th century. Our sitter must have been important. I don't see a signature and no ID. I see what looks to be a uniform jacket with braided epaulettes, so perhaps your research can begin there. He has powdered hair, side rolls and a ponytail held with wide black bow, some visible. Measurements are noted on photos.
Very good to excellent condition, there is no warp to the wafer, and it fits flush to the enlarging painting wafer. I had to tip to the side to show you how it's adhered, and greatly enlarge it. Looking at it in hand, it looks like it has a smaller convex cover glass over it, but it's the 2 wafers. Convex cover glass in place. Something special - this one.
