Presenting a superb but unsigned portrait miniature in an exceptionally nice wooden and gesso/gilded frame from the same period, c.1800-1820. The round miniature might well have been painted originally to mount into top of a snuff box, and is reset to this frame, but the old frame, School of Fontainebleau, houses it so perfectly now. Shown thus, it's perfect as wall art at home or in your Bru or other antique doll house vignette rooms. A handsome older gentleman, very distinguished and in his blue high-collar jacket that might well be French Revolutionary costume from his youth. One wonders at the story, life, identity of these people who lived full lives back in an interesting time in the history of France. Alas, we do not have his identity. We can only enjoy the remainder, his portrait. Hand painted in gauche or watercolor, typical of the time.
Very good condition for age and type, I see only a couple of "flake" areas on the painting an each is at the outer rim and does not take away from the gentleman's portrait likeness at all. No signature. I suppose there might be information on backside but since it has a sealed backing, we have not taken him out of frame to investigate further and will leave that decision to the next owner. The frame is also earliest 1800s, might not have originally been set into it, but the way it's framed now therein is a wonderful presentation. Frame is, itself, a valuable antique. Measurements are noted on the photos, but it is a 2.75" diameter painting aperture, mounted under slightly convex cover glass which is its original cover. The inner aperture of the frame is 5.5" square and the frame's an 8.5" square that is 1.25" in depth, heavy old wood.
