25-146 Pair, American Folk Art Portrait Miniatures

Price: 750

Sold by Phillips and Durkin Antiques

25-146. Pair of American Folk Art Portrait Miniatures, ca. 1835–1840. Appealing pair of miniature portraits depicting a presumed husband and wife, executed in gouache and watercolor on thin translucent sheets. The fashionably dressed young woman wears an elaborate late-1830s coiffure secured by a high comb with cascading side ringlets, brilliant red coral drop earrings and matching coral-bead necklace, and a pale blue dress with dramatically puffed sleeves and gold-colored belt buckle. Her companion wears a brown coat, figured waistcoat, high standing collar and broad black stock, his hair fashionably curled at the temples. American, probably Northeastern or Mid-Atlantic, circa 1835–1840. Housed in matching period black-lacquered wood frames with gilt oval liners, each 5½"h. x 4¾"w. Overall good condition with minor surface wear and scattered pigment losses, principally to the gentleman's coat. Provenance: The Lifetime Collection of Janet & Charles Muto, Ottawa Hills, Ohio.