Hand painted on French Ivory pyralin originals, these lovely ornately framed paintings are either oil or acrylic, measures 5.75 x 6.5 in, brass easel not included. These lovely little "masterpieces" can be hung or displayed on an easel. We found these in Perpignan, France on our most recent buying trip. They are truly a one of a kind, rare find...the celluloid over the top of the painting feels almost convex. Notice the metal trim that makes the image stand out from the black frame. The back is covered with old French historical reference paper and the sticker in French translates "guaranteed on ivory"
French Ivory. Pyrite: A common mineral composed of iron disulphide with a pale brass-yellow color used as an iron ore and in the production of sulfur dioxide for sulfuric acid. Also called Fool's gold and Iron pyrite.
A portrait miniature is a miniature portrait painting, usually executed in gouache, watercolour, or enamel. Portrait miniatures developed out of the techniques of the miniatures in illuminated manuscripts, and were popular among 16th-century elites, mainly in England and France, and spread across the rest of Europe from the middle of the 18th-century, remaining highly popular until the development of daguerreotypes and photography in the mid-19th century. They were especially valuable in introducing people to each other over distances; a nobleman proposing the marriage of his daughter might send a courier with her portrait to visit potential suitors. Soldiers and sailors might carry miniatures of their loved ones while traveling, or a wife might keep one of her husband while he was away.
The first miniaturists used watercolour to paint on stretched vellum. During the second half of the 17th century, vitreous enamel painted on copper became increasingly popular, especially in France. In the 18th century, miniatures were painted with watercolour on ivory, which had now become relatively cheap. As small in size as 40 mm × 30 mm, portrait miniatures were often used as personal mementos or as jewellery or snuff box covers.
Materials: wood, celluloid, pyralin, metal.
