Buying antiques out of Russia is problematic. I have a grouping of 3 from a family, sold out of Ukraine, that span nearly a century. This is the first, and the earliest of those (offering/selling separate). In her time, it was known as a Cossack Republic, though boundaries moved and changed. The Ottoman Empire, Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Austria-Hungary and Russia, all claimed and covered the Ukraine over time. I do not have a name for this woman, but her style of clothing, hair, and the needlework monogram which once backed the image all indicate c.1740-50s. Her small oval brass frame, original beveled cover glass and the embroidery attached to the backing of this frame are original to that date. The larger oval wooden frame and silk velvet mat are a much later, possibly c.1900, modification, and matches the other portraits from the same estate. I can't link them as family, but it seems possible they were. Still, we'll offer them separately. Measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, and I'm speaking primarily of the portrait miniature and embroidery, brass frame, beveled c1740-50s cover glass. I did take the backing off this mount, thinking I could access the portrait there as with the other 2, but in fact her frame is set from the front and it does not want to easily be removed, so all photos are through the cover glass. You can see very light loss to the very old painting, but there are no chips nor hairlines in the thin wafer upon which the unsigned artist did the painting. Unless, of course, there is a signature on the rim of the wafer or back, which can't be revealed until someone takes her apart. Won't be me. Fascinating that her face, so full of personality and life, is just 1/2" from chin to eyebrows. Incredible work! Outer frame is wood, very nicely done.
