Just a gem! This superb tiny painting, incredible work on a face just 1/2" from chin to hairline. Handsome young French man, c.1830s, he is mounted in what was once a largish clasp for a bracelet or perhaps elaborate necklace. You see the clasp insert space to one side. Quite thick and heavy, it has been adapted ages ago with a backing and hinged easel stand. The cover glass is thick, almost works like a magnifying glass, and certainly brings more light to the painting within. The locket-type mount front lifts out of the mount for ease in cleaning cover glass, and there's a recess of about 1/4", seems likely to have once had a lock of hair within the space behind the painting. Someone's keepsake - a bride, or his parents. Kept and treasured nearly 200 years.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, as noted above it has been adapted from a jewelry clasp for a necklace or bracelet. The easel back is likely later 1800s, but the jewelry mount and painting are c.1830s. Cover glass is thick, convex, a bit magnifying, and undamaged. Painting in gouache on very thin wafer, I find no damage nor loss. A fine painting! Amazing artistry to put so much into a 1/2" face! Full measurements are noted on the photos.
