Mid-18th Century British Portrait Miniature of a Young Woman in Gold Bezel, Circa 1745
Mid-18th Century British Portrait Miniature of a Young Woman in Gold Bezel, Circa 1745
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A finely painted 18th-century British portrait miniature depicting an elegant young woman in a blue-gray dress with a low square neckline edged in white lace and a coordinating ribbon choker.
The sitter is shown bust-length against a softly shaded neutral background, her dark hair swept back from the face in the restrained fashion of the 1740s–1750s. Particularly lovely are the delicate rendering of the eyes, subtle modeling of the face, and tiny lacework along the neckline.
The miniature is housed in an oval gold-toned pendant frame with a substantial suspension ring, allowing it to have been worn as a pendant or displayed as a personal keepsake.
A later handwritten German dealer or collection label on the reverse appears to describe the miniature as a:
“Juwel der britischen Miniaturmalerei um 1745”
or approximately, “A jewel of British miniature painting, circa 1745.”
The final notation appears to record an earlier price of approximately Fr. 7,200, though the exact currency and date of the label are unknown.
Era
Circa 1740–1755
Georgian period.
Origin
British / English School
History
Portrait miniatures reached an extraordinary level of refinement in Britain during the 18th century. Small enough to be carried or worn, they functioned as intimate representations of family members, spouses, sweethearts, and important social connections.
By the 1740s, British miniaturists were producing highly detailed portraits on thin ivory supports using finely applied watercolor and gouache. The translucent qualities of ivory allowed artists to create particularly luminous flesh tones, while tiny brushes were used to describe eyes, hair, textiles, and lace.
The sitter’s dress, close-fitting ribbon choker, and comparatively restrained hairstyle are consistent with the middle decades of the 18th century, supporting the circa-1745 dating recorded on the later label.
Provenance
Sourced in France.
A later German-language dealer or collector label is retained on the reverse.
Materials
Painted portrait miniature, likely watercolor/gouache on ivory
Gold-toned metal frame and suspension ring
Glass
Paper backing
Material Note
The support appears visually consistent with ivory, the standard material for higher-quality European portrait miniatures of this period, but this has not been independently tested.
The frame has not been tested for gold content and should be described as gold-toned or gilt unless hallmarks or testing confirm otherwise.
Dimensions
Please provide the exact miniature and overall pendant dimensions and I can add them.
From scale, approximately 2–2.5 inches high excluding the suspension ring.
Condition
Good antique condition considering the miniature’s age.
The portrait remains remarkably clear with attractive color and fine facial detail. Minor surface wear, fading, spotting, and age-related imperfections may be present.
The gold-toned frame shows rubbing, darkened areas, small scratches, and surface wear consistent with age. The reverse paper backing is toned and worn and retains a later handwritten identification/price label.
Please review photographs closely for condition.
Disclaimers
Antique and vintage objects may exhibit wear, patina, fading, repairs, scratches, staining, losses, and other signs of age.
Important: If the portrait is confirmed to be painted on ivory, its sale, export, and interstate or international shipment may be regulated. Age alone does not automatically exempt ivory objects from all applicable laws. Any ivory attribution should therefore be handled carefully and documented where possible.
A finely painted 18th-century British portrait miniature depicting an elegant young woman in a blue-gray dress with a low square neckline edged in white lace and a coordinating ribbon choker.
The sitter is shown bust-length against a softly shaded neutral background, her dark hair swept back from the face in the restrained fashion of the 1740s–1750s. Particularly lovely are the delicate rendering of the eyes, subtle modeling of the face, and tiny lacework along the neckline.
The miniature is housed in an oval gold-toned pendant frame with a substantial suspension ring, allowing it to have been worn as a pendant or displayed as a personal keepsake.
A later handwritten German dealer or collection label on the reverse appears to describe the miniature as a:
“Juwel der britischen Miniaturmalerei um 1745”
or approximately, “A jewel of British miniature painting, circa 1745.”
The final notation appears to record an earlier price of approximately Fr. 7,200, though the exact currency and date of the label are unknown.
Era
Circa 1740–1755
Georgian period.
Origin
British / English School
History
Portrait miniatures reached an extraordinary level of refinement in Britain during the 18th century. Small enough to be carried or worn, they functioned as intimate representations of family members, spouses, sweethearts, and important social connections.
By the 1740s, British miniaturists were producing highly detailed portraits on thin ivory supports using finely applied watercolor and gouache. The translucent qualities of ivory allowed artists to create particularly luminous flesh tones, while tiny brushes were used to describe eyes, hair, textiles, and lace.
The sitter’s dress, close-fitting ribbon choker, and comparatively restrained hairstyle are consistent with the middle decades of the 18th century, supporting the circa-1745 dating recorded on the later label.
Provenance
Sourced in France.
A later German-language dealer or collector label is retained on the reverse.
Materials
Painted portrait miniature, likely watercolor/gouache on ivory
Gold-toned metal frame and suspension ring
Glass
Paper backing
Material Note
The support appears visually consistent with ivory, the standard material for higher-quality European portrait miniatures of this period, but this has not been independently tested.
The frame has not been tested for gold content and should be described as gold-toned or gilt unless hallmarks or testing confirm otherwise.
Dimensions
Please provide the exact miniature and overall pendant dimensions and I can add them.
From scale, approximately 2–2.5 inches high excluding the suspension ring.
Condition
Good antique condition considering the miniature’s age.
The portrait remains remarkably clear with attractive color and fine facial detail. Minor surface wear, fading, spotting, and age-related imperfections may be present.
The gold-toned frame shows rubbing, darkened areas, small scratches, and surface wear consistent with age. The reverse paper backing is toned and worn and retains a later handwritten identification/price label.
Please review photographs closely for condition.
Disclaimers
Antique and vintage objects may exhibit wear, patina, fading, repairs, scratches, staining, losses, and other signs of age.
Important: If the portrait is confirmed to be painted on ivory, its sale, export, and interstate or international shipment may be regulated. Age alone does not automatically exempt ivory objects from all applicable laws. Any ivory attribution should therefore be handled carefully and documented where possible.