Cased Sixteenth Plate Early Tintype Portrait of Soulful Looking Man in Hat

This one is very much about the whole package for me--the very small case, with the gold trim around the interior edges and embossed flower on the exterior, and then his very tightly cropped, mugshot-like face. Of the scale and manner made to be carried around close to one's heart during the subject's long absences in order to keep them very close--and not to forget what they look like!:) Or so I imagine. Feels very immediate and also very dear.

 2" x 1 3/4" x 1/2" closed. General wear, age and rust spots as evident which feel all of a piece. Case hinge holding fine and clasp closes tight.