Such an exceptionally fine portrait miniature, and housed in a large and exceptionally fine heavy bronze bow top, easel-back and hanging loop frame. The large wafer is perfectly preserved, and with such exquisite detail to both the face of this woman, and the details of her clothing. The miniaturists amaze me. When I can enlarge a face that is only 1" from chin to hairline, and fill your screen with it and it looks like it could be a very large painting - fascinating to me. This one is artist-signed, "C. Noël" but my search for the artist who had so much skill, and that one noted on the taped note to the backside, isn't the right miniaturist. The dates do not work. Unless I'm reading the date wrong and it's 1813 rather than 1843, and frankly, the bonnet/clothing confirms it's c.1843. So the referenced artist on tab which adds c.1775 was not alive when this painting was done. Note the size of the wafer/painting, which also is quite large and suggests the c.1840s. Full measurements noted on our photos.
Very good to excellent condition throughout. The wafer and painting remain just perfect, truly. Nothing lost there. The old original convex cover glass has 2 rough edges, but they are covered from view when it's in place in its frame. The frame is also excellent, heavy and without dents, loss. Easel stand and hanging loop remain on backside. She is from an anonymous French estate. I don't know who she is, but all indications readable say she was a matron of station in society. The dress is a typical era mourning dress of finest quality silk. She is at least 1 year into mourning, since the addition of the broad lace collar and the colored ribbon on white bonnet would not be part of a 1st year's mourning traditions of the era. A superb one from my collections. Don't miss her!
