I feel certain this is a brother to another portrait miniature we've just sold, from the same estate and in the same silk velvet covered frame.
The mutton chop sideburns were fashionable c.1830, which is when this young man's portrait would have been made. A tall collar coat with black tie and what appears to be a garnet brooch at lapel, his hair swept up in the manner popular in his youth. Nearly 200 years ago, this young man lived and loved (hopefully). The painting is unsigned, a pale watercolor or gouache on thin wafer, typical of the genre and era, he survives with a direct confident gaze and a hint of a smile or at least the promise of a personality that comes through and is positive.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. The painting is kept all this time beneath original cover glass, in bright gold mat and within a wooden frame which is covered in original silk velvet, hanging loop in place. There appears to have once been a sealing wax 'sceau' on that paper backing, and I've tried to show that the wafer is slightly out of flat, though in frame, you can't tell at all. No hairlines or cracks, chips. Measurements are noted on our photos, and the slightly rough condition of the back bears a mention, though it stands well, and will display beautifully as a wall-hung painting.
