One of my best very early frames and it holds a superb 18th century French portrait miniature with incredibly fine artist who has not signed the work but who left an amazing testimonial to talent. That face is barely 1/2" from chin to that high hairline. Yet such expressive face and commanding eyes! His hair, curled and powdered but with a long pony tail back with bow, is very American Revolution era or slightly earlier, so c.1750-70. Intricate details seem impossible, yet can be enlarged as you see we have and still it is a very fine portrait. Fascinating art! The broad gold mat is brass on backside, as shown, and has a thin plaque adhered to the brass (not plated, but a full plaque), and it tests 12k, though prior owner had thought 18k. I might have to replace testing acids soon. So we'll say at least 12k, perhaps higher. Full measurements are noted directly on photos.
Very good to excellent. The frame is one of the nicest preservations on the old wood, no chips and hardly a rub - same with the gold broad mat, pristine convex and original cover glass, and the painting is mounted with the edge showing around, which I sometimes see in the mid-1700s, more for Prussian paintings, really, but some French/European. I purchased this one in France as French. No warp nor chips nor hairlines to painting, as you can see. Very fine!
