A wonderful large sized hand painted Georgian portrait miniature 9ct gold & glass locket with the reverse of the locket featuring beautiful hairwork.
Dating to around 1790 the subject of the watercolour is a gentleman, possibly a nobleman. He is painted against a blue sky and he is wearing a navy blue coat and a white neckcloth with his hair powdered. The portrait is skilfully painted.
The other side of the locket contains beautiful hair work in two shades of hair colour against a pearly pale blue & peach shaded glass background. The hair is worked into elaborate curls and decorated with gold thread and seed pearls in a pattern known as the Prince of Wales feathers. Although the presence of pearls alongside hair hints at tears for the deceased this isn't necessarily a mourning memento, jewellery incorporating hair was worn as sentimental keepsakes of those still alive too.
A wonderful piece, steeped in history. Portrait miniatures were used as portable and wearable reminders of loved ones long before the advent of photography and they offer us a fascinating glimpse into the past!
MATERIALS: 9ct rose gold, acid tested
MEASUREMENTS: 3-3/4" (9.5cm) high including bail, 2-3/4" (7cm) wide
WEIGHT: 65.7 grams
DATE: Georgian, circa 1790
HALLMARKS: none
CONDITION: In very, very good antique condition, with the hair work beautiful and free of dust and debris.