An exquisite but unsigned French portrait miniature, handsome blond and blue-eyed young man who wears an elaborate white cravat with gold pin, and the ribbon of the Revolution (red, white, blue). He might well have been one of the wealthy students at the 1832 student uprising, Paris, barricade of a real-life Les Miserables, but in fact he dates earlier. The portrait is, I am certain, late 1700s, and that red edging might, instead, mean he is an aristocrat in support of Royalty overthrown and beheaded in The Terror. It is difficult to know for certain which. The red near the neck is a typical sign of support and memorial to those aristocrats who were overthrown in the French Revolution, late 1700s. So he's somewhere between 1770s to as late as 1830s.
Very good to excellent throughout, the painting is beautifully crafted, definitely a noted artist but unsigned. Housed perfectly beneath the original convex cover glass (front and back), the painting and a silk backing with an elaborate and large 14k gold monogram survive without damage. The monogram rests upon a faded green moire silk round, but might once have had a plaiting of his hair atop which the monogram would rest. We have many like that. The entire locket, which is also undamaged, is 14k gold (acid tested), and elevates the offering as such. The miniature is 2 1/2" diameter in frame. That face is less than an inch from chin to hairline, yet look at the confidence, perhaps even defiance, in his visage. Could be considered fine jewelry, a pendant. A superb museum quality miniature and locket frame. I see nothing to report as flaw.
