I look at a lot of portrait miniatures, passing by most and with the ones I really like usually far beyond my means, but happily this regal beauty both won me immediately and I was able to buy her right, so here she is, to my eye just wonderful. Early 1800s, painted on bone in brass frame, which compliments the gold of her jewels and her white Empire gown with blue sash perfectly. With wonderful detailing on her braided up-do, and golden earrings and necklace that look to hold sapphires. French I believe, and clearly a member of the upper crust, really with a bit of the Empress about her. A perfect combination of fineness and boldness, and her seeming quite self possessed but with a sense of vulnerability too, which has me returning to her face again and again.
2 13/16" x 2 3/8". There is a newer piece of thin card closing the frame back, which I have not removed. Otherwise, very good antique condition, no cracks or damage of any sort that I can seem, reads bright and crisp and bold. Stable and sound in frame.
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