Just as the 1830s transitioned with the Coronation in England of Queen Victoria, c.1837, and the styles returned to more modest and high-collared, buttoned up and less revealing, and double and triple-parted hairstyles were all in vogue, this beautiful young woman put on her best gown and her cameo and sat for her portrait. Perhaps a wedding portrait, the cameo her honeymoon Grand Tour souvenir of Italy and the miniature painting, which is most certainly French, her souvenir of Paris. Or there is also some possibility it is the final painting for her parents before she entered a convent, which was also done in her time - before her long locks were cut short and covered as a novitiate. I have no way of knowing her artist nor her story, but that she has been so well treasured these 200 or so years since she soberly faced the artist. Housed in a travel etui, giving a hint of her being painted for a traveling husband, both the painting and its convex cover glass are perfectly preserved.
Very good to excellent condition throughout for age and type. The leather-clad etui made to house her portrait is in very good condition, one mar where someone has carelessly attached a tag, probably some dealer's price tag who doesn't understand old leather. A little wear to the exterior, and a slight warp to the top half which makes the closure hold a bit extra tight against slight pressure. It does close and hold tightly, and clasp and hinge are also perfect in function. I love these old cased portraits, some of them in shagreen, some in early fine leathers.
