Still in the portrait miniature genre, this is a huge wafer - the painting is 6 7/8" x 5 1/4", approximately the size of 4 usual paintings. The size of the wafer is quite unique. I have only 2 others in my collections which are on huge slabs of flattened natural wafer. That said, this is artist signed, "Romley" and we think of English origin. Three sisters or friends, each in etherial white silk Regency gowns. The composition of the full figures is also exquisite, casual and yet formal at the same time. They have been well preserved and protected beneath the original slightly convex cover glass, and in the original frame. I do not have identity of the women, but I can divulge that they came to me via a private collection in Milan. Just look at the elegance of their pose, the fine detail of hand and foot. They look out at us from 220 years ago, held thus within a wood frame with heavy dore bronze mat/mount. Full measurements on photos, but the outer frame is 10 1/2" x 8 3/4", quite large. Rare!
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. This large a wafer is rare, as noted, and hasn't a singe hairline to diminish value or enjoyment. The wafer has a support of harder material, card or perhaps thin wood (shown in images), which has definitely kept it from harm. I have 2 other very large paintings for this type of wafer, and each one has tried to return to the round form, creating a couple of hairlines. Nothing on this one. Painted in gouache, no flaws to the painting, ether. Frame shows advanced age, which of course it has. The convex cover glass is without damage. A magnificent rarity for collectors, this one.
