Sweetest little thing! Those faces are 3/8" and 1/2" from chin to hairline, and the intimate play between the two is as charming as they are. I have no information to give about whom the two are. Given that one on left has a Royal red robe trimmed out in ermine tails might make the search for identities a little simpler, though I can't even tell you for certain their nationality. I can tell you the frame is consistent with c.1700s to earliest 1800s French and European frames I've found and I have some sense that the painting is Prussian, perhaps a St. Petersburg or ? painting. Unusual, long sealed to its original convex cover glass and only partially pulled open so that very old cover glass could be property cleaned. Gouache on natural wafer. The frame is a heavy casting of bronze, elaborate bow top and floral garlands as found in museum displays from Louis XVI era.
Very good to excellent condition throughout, no breaks or chips or hairlines in painting nor cover glass (very old - convex). There is a tiny spot up top where the blue is rubbed. The old seal still is inside, the convex cover glass is clean and undamaged (though it came to me with centuries of dust). I found this one in France, or perhaps in Germany. Measurements noted above. Frame is heavy solid-cast bronze with a formed brass backing which attaches with 2 screws, both in place.
