Is it a parrot? I'm no expert on exotic birds, but the pet she holds is certainly exotic. Parrots and birds were popular and fashionable as pets in the 1700s, and by her fashion, we can place this portrait to c.1750-70s, Louis XV-XVI (Marie-Antoinette) era. There is no identification accessible, and the talented artist has not signed this one in visible space. She is certainly a notable person of society from her time, though. You can see it, and know it by the fact of the quality of her image. Convex cover glass and dore bronze heavy frame have kept her portrait in excellent original form these 270 or so years. The other interesting aspect is that the back is a lead roundel which has been sealed with beeswax, as you can see, and an additional official seal applied. It's either an A or a V, and I really am unsure what it means. Unable to justify opening a sealed back, all of our photos of her will show a glare somewhere owing to the photography lighting and that convex c.1750s cover glass. She is stunning - a museum piece for certain. You will want to do research on this one. I always intended to but have just let time go by. A personal favorite of my own collections.
Very good to excellent condition, I have no flaws to note. Obviously held in private for centuries, there is no damage to the sealed painting, its wafer, nor to the convex cover glass or heavy dore bronze frame. Sealed back, I suspect that's a lead roundel, or perhaps pewter. The beeswax outer seal to prevent dust or mites is firmly intact and the red wax seal, as well. Measurements will be found on the photos. Keep in mind, her portrait in aperture is just 2.5" in diameter, and the detail of her face and her pet bird are made in less than 5/8". Splendid petit miniature. RARE for all reasons, not the least of which is her pet exotic bird. Frame is 3 5/8" diameter, rising another 1 1/8" with that bow top.
