Found in France, from an anonymous estate, a pair of sisters, perhaps twins, from a stylish home of 1825-1830s, based on their fashion and hair. In France, Louis-Philippe ruled, the "Restauration" of the Royalist reign. And, while these sisters are gowned and coifed in the High French Manner of their time, I think they might be English or other European Nationality, instead. Why? In all my decades of appreciating and collecting portrait miniatures, I have never found any in frames like these. Quite unique, and yet seem like a production type made in multiples. The passe partout mounts seem to be permanently sealed with the convex cover glass and painting firmly in place within. Machined, they are a leatherette look pressed papier, slender and with patterning. The paintings are each just stunningly beautiful, and they show very well, but getting fine photos of them is nearly impossible because a very light dusting of centuries is on the interior of the cover glass and no matter which angle our photographer's lights are, they capture and reflect from the minuscule dust particles. Oddly, in viewing the pair, you do not see those and the cover glass is clear. And I can see no way to open the interesting old frames to clean the interior glass. They are sealed. That said, both the uniqueness of the mount/frame and the beauty of the delicate featured sisters makes them a 'must have' for any collection. Full measurements are noted on the photos. Their long slender faces are 3/4", chin to hairline.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, the frames are quite excellent, particularly considering the materials used. Convex cover glass fully intact for each. The paintings are beautifully done, yet I find no visible signature. Sometimes upon removing a miniature from its frame, we find the artist has signed on the outer perimeter perhaps meant to be hidden by the frame. Frames are 2 3/4" x 4 5/8" plus the bale up top. They are a hair under 1/4" in thickness, light in weight.