A beautiful little portrait of a woman from the mid to late 1700s, era of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. Low bodice, big powdered hair with flowers, and the very unique added detail of tiny jewels attached to the flowers - do you see them? Her face is only 1/2", chin to hairline, and the jewels are 1-2mm. No way to test, but in her era, likely tiny gem stones. My guess, a ruby and a diamond remaining. Isn't it unusual! I have never found another portrait miniature in which the artist incorporated gems. Even if not for the gems, she is fabulous! Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for the pristine little painting. No warp, no hairlines, no cracks, no chips. The wafers do sometimes shrink with advanced age, which is a natural aspect of the material used, and it appears this one is just barely shrunken in her aperture. The old brass mat is set with a cut glass which is not original, as in her age the original glass would be a polished convex cover glass. No signature of this very adept miniaturist artist, and we do not have her ID. Sadly, that is the case with most. Some 250-270 years ago, the lived out her life. Charming piece!
