As I've explained, there are 2 types of portrait miniatures, basically. Those single portraits done of a living person, capturing in fine detail the image of that one person, and 2. miniature paintings of historical figures of some popularity or notoriety to be marketed as souvenirs to Grand Tour tourists, to Royalists, etc., and which are often miniature renditions "après", or done after the work of original paintings of that historical individual. This one is of the 2nd kind, and likely dates mid-late 1800s. It is a fine miniature with Marie-Antoinette as the subject. It is signed on the outer border of the thin natural wafer, about at the 4 o'clock position, and that signature hides itself a bit under the old frame. I've opened this unusual frame up to show both the painting without glass cover, and also the signature for you. There is an oval card cut and behind the painting, which might give us indication of it's age, but also might have been added later on. I've shown it, too. The small painting is very nicely accomplished and shows M-A in elaborate white hat and in white shawl on white dress.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, the painting is excellent. You can see we have shown it without the glares of the slightly convex cover glass. The frame is unusual, in that it has a deep nesting backing. The covering on that oval 'etui' is crimson silk satin and some age is showing, but it's definitely been well cared for. The outer measurement of the frame is 3 1/2" x 2 5/8" oval and with backing, it is 3/8" in depth. Hanging hook on back, ready to hang.
