Antique French Empire Portrait Miniature Brooch Lady in Tiara

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Antique French Empire Portrait Miniature Brooch Lady in Tiara

About the Item

In the favored style of fashion that sets her into the Napoleonic era, this rather homely young woman with haunting lovely eyes has posed for perhaps the only visage of herself ever done - a portrait miniature that is so exquisite, just the impact of it makes her beautiful. Mounted in a frame that makes her a brooch, a fine piece of jewelry over 200 years old, she is perfect. The most fabulous lapis lazuli beaded tiara rests upon her Napoleonic-curled head and matches the bead necklace she also wears. How precious those stones must have been in her time, when they were exotic and imported as Napoleon expanded the French Empire. Her Empire waist bodice also puts her into that time, doesn't it. A fabulous painting with truly incomprehensible detail for a painting so small. Remember, we have enlarged this from it's small size of just 2" x 1 3/4" oval, so her entire head is only about 3/4" in height. She is painted in gauche on thin wafer, protected under the original slightly convex and polished cover glass. The brooch is not solid gold, but a very fine gold plated one and frames her well. Very good to excellent condition, without any flaws to note apart from the slight appearance of age to the gold metal backing, and a blunted pin tip (easily sharpened if you wish to wear her). The painting is superb but we can find no visible signature. We know that Jacque-Louis David is artist on some of the fine French miniatures from this period - who knows. Experts, do you recognize his hand in this one? I love this miniature! I am thrilled to own her and offer her to our most sophisticated collectors. Her large beautiful eyes and her elegant style overcomes her too small chin and mouth, and her too large nose, don't you agree? She is stunning!

Dimensions:
Height: 2 in (50.8 mm)
Style:
Georgian
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
Early 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
c.1790-1810
Condition:
Excellent throughout, no chips, losses, hairlines in painting. Blunted pin point, slight tarnish to old mount consistent with age.
Seller Location:
San Marcos, CA
Reference Number:
Seller: 512pmEmp1stDibs: JU120505227128