A tender and precious memento, portrait miniature of a young boy, perhaps 8-10 years of age, beautifully painted as an obvious memorial to a departed child (floating among the etherial clouds, a somber glance back at whomever was his mourner left behind. The jewelry mount or frame is an early to mid-1800s pendant or locket-style frame - ornate and with the look of karat gold. The old original convex cover glass still protects the child's portrait and a flat glass covers the back side under which a woven plaiting of light brown hair is housed. Found in France, yet the child is very blond and blue-eyed, reminding us of the children of Habsburg Royals, such as Marie-Antoinette's children, or even the young son of Napoleon, though he would have been 21 upon his death at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. Such beautiful eyes, features, and hair in this delicate and final image. Full measurements are noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition throughout. I see nothing to report as a flaw. The old frame can be either displayed or worn as a pendant or locket. Original convex cover glass has protected the painting very well, and I'm uncertain if the flat glass covering the woven hair is original or a replacement. Portrait miniatures of children are rare - all the more so with light blond hair and blue eyes, or mourning portraits.
