A truly stunning fine miniature painting, the wafer is a mere 3 1/8" in diameter, and yet look how spectacularly the artist has given us the quality of a full-sized portrait. It's fascinating to me that any artist can accomplish something so powerful in such a tiny space. Her face is only 5/8", chin to hairline, and I'm able to blow it up to fill a computer screen with such clarity and personality captured. I did not test, but I feel certain the front of this round portrait frame is a karat gold foil, thick enough to have stayed brilliantly in place and bright gold all these years - 250 based on her fashion and hair. The backing of the frame is typical brass, but these early ones often have a face panel of gold. Also notable, I believe this woman is wearing a riding habit. Costume research leads me to believe so. You'll enjoy studying costume through the ages, fashion. We do not have an ID, the backing having been torn away at some point leaving us only a few words. The wafer does not have a signature, either.
Very good to excellent condition throughout, age and type considered. There are no flaws to the thin wafer upon which her portrait artist has worked in gouache to achieve this brilliant miniature. Frame is also nice, houses her well. Slightly convex cover glass would be the old original. Well treasured, and one of my favorites in the Antiques & Uncommon Treasure collection.
