Hand painted miniature portraits were the predecessors of photographs. When there was no other way to record a likeness of someone, the miniatures were treasured and passed down in families. Some portrait miniatures were painted of a specific person, and others were of classic style beauties rather than a particular real person. Often, these pieces were made into jewelry and worn as decoration, such as our brooch. The Victorians loved romantic depictions of classical Greek and Roman scenes, and this little cherub is a wonderful example of the trend. A tiny, darling, curly-headed child plays a lyre in a bucolic setting on a disc that is less than one inch in diameter! Grandly framed in silver with fleur de lis motifs and accented with natural seed pearls, this piece is a wonderfully sweet trinket you'll want to pass down in the family!
Details (approximate)
Dimensions: 1.25"
Weight: 4.9 grams
Materials: Silver, Painted disc under glass, Seed pearls
Marks: None
Condition: Very good Antique condition commensurate with age and wear.
LORL, LOE