From Louis XIV to XV era, not later than mid-1700s. Unsigned. That often surprises me when I open one of these little masterpieces of miniature portraiture, and yet I know that the artists were just craftsmen and women for the most part and not recognized in the way we think of artists now. A truly magnificent portrait, a landscape setting with distant mountains and a feel of autumn is her setting. The frame is 3" in diameter, and that beautiful face of hers is accomplished in just 3/4", chin to hairline. Stylish in fashion and hair for her time, perhaps this is her marriage portrait, or one made for parents and family she would leave behind as she traveled to a new life with an important man as her husband. More often than not, a marriage meant a departure that would lead her far enough away, this would be the last glimpse of her. Certainly it's been treasured. Out of an estate collection in France, and not a bit of history attends her. Not even her name.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. The painting is in gouache on thin wafer, typical of the era and genre, and has survived beautifully. A tiny area of paint loss at about the 8 o'clock position, hides behind the frame mount. No warp, no chips nor hairlines in the wafer, a tiny lift or two on the lush white scarf's paint. The frame is brass with a bright gold finish. Seems to me at one time a foil of karat gold, but a lot of age to it, too. Isn't she beautiful!
