The sweetest little boy! Huge blue eyes and a darling face, painted in a face only 1/2" from chin to hairline (not to bangs, but to where the hairline would be). Truly incredible artist, miniaturist, has created this little work of art has not left a visible signature, but evidence of mastery is quite immense. The painting was originally the clasp for a cuff or bracelet, or, looking at it from backside, where it's been quite uniquely fashioned into the outer dore bronze frame, you can see the gentle curve of the clasp and also the insert fittings at top and bottom. While the inserts to the clasp do not remain, one could certainly have a goldsmith remake those, with the bar drilled or punched for many strands of seed pearls. I've had Georgian era seed pearl bracelets with portrait claps like this in the past. They're so rare to find! A tiny gem! The frame has been made special to mount this old jewelry bit, and is, itself, at least Victorian era and a fine work. Along and side you will find an engraved "Hamlet". Precious and treasured for centuries. The bracelet clasp tests 18k gold. The outer mat and rectangular frame are dore bronze, heavy - they are not gold. Just the jewelry piece.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, with the notation there are tiny floating white flakes which seem to float beneath the original convex and polished cover glass. If one were bold enough to dislodge the piece, and open it up, they would blow away. I'm leaving it just as it is. They sometimes shift out of view completely, too. The clasp is quite pristine but for the missing insets on each side. One could have those remade by a good goldsmith, the long bar drilled or punched to allow many strands of seed pearls to be strung to it again. Or simply enjoy this darling portrait miniature just as it is. I believe it is a boy. The little jacket and Georgian fashion of lace collars, long hair to the back, all confirm it. Full measurements noted on the photos.
