A fine mid-1800s portrait of a gentleman, full head of gray hair and dark eyes, he looks directly at the artist (and you as viewer) with a slightly impatient tightness to his mouth and eyes. Beautifully preserved under the original convex cover glass and within the pristine large brooch mount, it shows no evidence of wear or loss. His face is just 3/4" from chin to hairline, and he's painted on thin wafer typically used in these tiny works of art. An unusual use of a plaque of cognac to chocolate colored tortoise shell adds interest and beauty and is not typically seen. Full measurements are noted on the photos, and the box is not original to it and only used to show it well, ambient era, it will not be included.
Very good to excellent condition, I see no damage or loss to point out at all. The front of the brooch will test 12k, which one might look to the English a bit more. It is a surface gold, deeper than plating, but it is a surface gold on a brass form. I found him in France, but the brooch mount and other aspects suggest he's German, Dutch or English, not French. Rolled gold, not solid.
