I rarely ever buy a miniature portrait that isn't in original frame, or hasn't got a cover glass, but this one was so unique, I didn't pass it up. The young man here is incredibly pretty, isn't he? I just knew someone would want him if I "saved" him. He came to me like this, mounted into a slightly concave silver pendant frame, no cover glass. I really feel like the silver pendant isn't original, and perhaps it was shaped a bit to confirm to a slight warp in the surface upon which the portrait was painted. But look at the detail. That face is 1" high. Imagine artist who could do this way back when. Perhaps you'll want him for your collection, or for your antique Bru or other doll's house setting. Definitely c.1840-60s painting. France.
Very good condition considering he's not protected by a cover glass, so somewhat fragile. These are watercolors or gouache on wafer, do not let it get wet! There is a surface scrape at about the 2 o-clock position (his eye level) that is a rub to the paint. No splits nor cracks, though. The large bale silver pendant is the type we'd see from that era, but not quite right, and more likely to have held a shell cameo, do you agree? He is 'as is', just as you see him. Measurements on photos.
