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Vintage hand painted portrait,may range from late 18th century to late 19th century,I\'m unable to locate anything similar,so I used a search assistant for help.
What the assistant reported, I quote. (my comments below that)
It appears to be a vintage miniature portrait, likely made from:Watercolor or gouache paint on thin paper, ivoryA transparent protective covering—possibly glass or mica
The visible cracks may be craquelure in the painted surface, or damage to an old varnish layer.
The back makes it look more like a small painted plaque or card sealed under a thick, glossy varnish.Most likely possibilities are:Ivory or bone: The creamy, slightly translucent color and fine age cracks could fit an ivory miniature. Ivory was commonly used for portrait miniatures in the 18th–19th centuries.Vellum or coated paper/card: The relatively flat, rectangular sheet and the broad wrinkled cracking could also indicate painted paper, vellum, or a photographic print covered with old varnish.Glass or mica cover: The shiny, uneven surface may be a separate clear protective layer, possibly glass, rather than the painting itself.
A key clue is the edge: if the material is thin and slightly translucent with visible natural grain or tiny pores, ivory becomes more likely. If it has paper fibers, a uniform white backing, or layers, it is probably paper/card. Don’t sand, scrape, wet, or heat it—those tests could permanently damage an old miniature. An antiques conservator can identify ivory, bone, vellum, and paper safely under magnification.
Her clothing appears to date from roughly the late 1870s to early 1880s, most likely around 1880.The main clues are the: High-necked white blouse or bodiceLace or ruffled jabot at the throatFitted, moderately full sleevesDecorative brooch or pendant at the collarCenter-parted, smoothly arranged hairThis fits Victorian dress, probably a middle- or upper-class woman’s portrait outfit.
My comments.
As I am not educated in this type of portrait,my assessment will be speculative.As far as the material, I believe it to be paperbut may be one of the other possibilities.I\'m fairly certain it is not vellum. It is somewhat flexible, but appears very fragile.
I was not able to find similar clothing,My thought is around 1850, search assistant suggest later.
I don\'t believe the frame is original,The glass cover is slightly bowed out,hard to see in the pictures.Appears to be brass, heavy and rigid, color has not changedsince I\'ve obtained it approx. 30 years ago.It has been secured in a clean, stable environmentkeeping moisture and sunlight away from it.It measures 3 5/8\' X 2 3/4\"and with the metal loop at the topmaking the entire height just under 4 3/8\".
there is a number written on the backof the picture itself, BA -3188C(the \"C\'\' may be an open O)
Use the pictures, they can tell more than I can.I\'m starting it at a low offer due the obvious condition. suggest buy it now at $95 so I left it at that.I will ship using \'s shipping, USPO, free shipping.Local pick up O.K.
