A tender mid-Victorian watercolor portrait miniature depicting a young child in an off-shoulder white dress with delicate jewelry, preserved in its original deep blue velvet hinged presentation case with ornate gilt brass bezel.
A faint handwritten inscription appears at the lower edge and I believe reads:
“Portrait Elizabeth aged … 1854”
The exact age is difficult to decipher due to fading and surface toning; however, the date appears to read 1854. Based on dress silhouette, watercolor technique, and case construction, the portrait is attributed circa 1854.
This is a romantic early Victorian heirloom — the type commissioned to preserve a beloved child’s likeness during the golden age of portrait miniatures, just as photography was beginning to emerge.
The original velvet exterior and silk interior lining remain intact, adding to its authenticity and charm.
Measurements of velvet case
Approximately 4.25” x 3.4”
Condition
Watercolor on paper with age-appropriate toning and foxing throughout. Visible water staining to the upper background and areas of pigment loss within the white dress consistent with mid-19th century age. The inscription is faint and partially obscured. Velvet case shows surface wear and minor loss commensurate with age. Hinge remains functional.
Sold as found. No restoration has been attempted.
Styling
An evocative addition to a study, library, or layered antique vignette. Beautiful styled alongside leather-bound volumes, framed intaglios, silver desk pieces, or early portrait miniatures for that understated Old World aesthetic.
📌 Please Note: Jewelry cases and display props are not included. We carefully pack using reclaimed and recycled materials whenever possible. Please review all photos carefully and feel free to ask questions before purchasing.
Your antique friend,
Claudia
XOXO.
