Welcome to a Free Art Exhibition of Portrait Miniatures

January 2026 - After a break of several years, new purchases and new research are resulting in new miniatures being acquired for the collection. This will be gradual during 2026, but the intended emphasis continues to be affordable quality, mixed with interesting or unusual pieces.        

Thus, from April 2026, new additions to the Artists and Ancestors collection are being added to the website, under these headings;  

New American Additions in 2026

New British Addition in 2026

New European Additions in 2026 

Over 2026, the process will be gradual, and likely with alterations, as new information is added.

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

N.B. 2 November 2025. I regret that some visitors to this collection may have missed seeing all of the miniatures. This note tries to make the process clearer.

The links on the lower right of this post, to each of the eight galleries, as listed in summary below, opens page one of that gallery displaying those miniatures.  However, it is important to realize that only the first page automatically opens in each gallery. 

Thus, to see earlier pages in each gallery, it is necessary to scroll right to the bottom of each first page. Where, at lower right, there should be a link to "older posts". Clicking that link will then open any previous page, with images of many other miniatures in that particular gallery. 

Some galleries comprise more than two pages, so it may be necessary to again scroll down, and click on "older posts", to open each previous page of miniature portraits in that gallery.  

1- European Miniature Portraits

1- American Miniature Portraits

1 - British Miniature Portraits 

19C & 20C British Miniature Portraits

2 - American Miniature Portraits 

2 - European Miniature Portraits

2. - British Miniature Portraits 

20C - American Miniature Portraits

3 - American Miniature Portraits 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 

July 2025. N.B.  This blog was live in 2007-2020, and I regret I had not looked at it recently, due to my major research project on 18C English Literature, at www.tobiassmollett.blogspot.com 

Thus, for visitors interested in a critical and forensic assessment of accepted, academic, "Conventional Wisdom" as is recorded in 18C art, medicine, and literature I do recommend you please read, at least the first 12 pages of a second free ebook (a link to an earlier, but different, ebook is further below) as available at www.researchgate.net  See it at, 

(PDF) Beneath the Varnish: Conventional Wisdom on Trial.

When I recently opened this Artists and Ancestors blog, I was dismayed to see Google had converted a number of posts to Drafts, so they did not appear! I have now re-published those drafts.  Also Google dropped images from some of the blog sections, for an unknown reason?? I do apologize that it would be a major task for me to review and reload all missing images, but my research notes for approximately 1200 miniatures in this Artists and Ancestors Collection remain valid. In addition, Google seemed to omit an index, on the right, of Internet links to several sections displaying miniatures in the collection, with separate addresses, including;

I hope those links will now appear on the right of this July 2025 post. 

[Welcome to new followers who saw this site on Blogs of Note. I hope you find the subject fascinating. I am willing to answer questions about miniatures and I get several questions each week. Click on my profile for the address. Questions are often from people who have portraits of ancestors, or found a miniature in a drawer. In late 2021 I rarely add to this website, but the information remains a helpful resource for collectors.]

Thus read on, in a user friendly format, the website displays a private collection of miniature portraits. A kind visitor has emailed; "It is definitely the best online art website that I have found yet."

But before exploring, please take a few seconds to imagine yourself 200 years ago, with no computers, no television, no films, no photographs, and no color printing in magazines or newspapers. Consider how unique these miniature paintings were, in capturing likenesses we now take for granted, and think how few other delicate objects of that age have lasted so well.

The Exhibition should appeal to art lovers, family historians, and fashion historians who can study hairstyles and clothing, changing over the centuries. Increasingly, the website focuses on known sitters and represents a new view of history, by "stepping through the back of a portrait".

If necessary, please wait a minute or so for the Slideshow Previews to appear (hopefully! - some browsers may have problems) and click to start. They show examples of miniatures on the left by American artists, and on the right by British and European artists. More miniatures are included in the various Gallery Links to the right, reached by clicking on the blue hyperlinks. 


There are over 1200 miniatures in the collection from America, Britain and Europe. All being easy to view and arranged in separate Galleries. In addition, hundreds more fine miniatures in other private collections can be accessed via links on the right. The exhibition format is:

1 Introduction to Miniatures
2 Copy, Fake, and Decorative Miniatures
3 Miniatures and the Photograph
4 Focus of the Collection
5 Additions and Comment since 2009
6 Guest Gallery
7 History of the Collection
8 Highlights
9 American Galleries
10 British Galleries
11 European Galleries
12 Art Collecting Links
13 Bibliography

For more detail click on the blue links above or on the right under Gallery Links. Alternatively, use the Site Search box to search for artists, sitters, or key words. To email me with questions about miniatures, just click on my photo for a link. As a service to collectors, I do not charge for brief inquiries, but am also willing to advise collectors wishing to dispose of collections of miniatures.

The 2008 entries can be seen consecutively in 2008 Additions and Comment or items of interest can be selected below. (Research being like a detective story, the major items really do feel like cases!). Entries can also be seen, starting at 2009 Additions and Comment

The following slide-shows depicts some portraits acquired for the collection.


Some older Posts
December - Auction news - View
November - Nathaniel Rogers at auction - View 
November - Two additions - View 
October - Three additions - View 
September - Two additions - View
August - Rare wax portrait by Ethel Frances Mundy - View 
July - Rare miniature on porcelain and new information - View
July - Expanded research on recent additions - View
June - Items of interest and more on Barratt fakes - View
June - Is the case original? - View
May - Fakes and items of interest - View
April - Recent sales noted - View
March - Horace Walpole on Samuel Cooper - View
March - A new book and some modern fakes - View
March - Current news - View
February - That book again! - View
January - Mainly American miniatures - View

[- Re the Carlisle book!
For more see
The Real Mr Frankenstein

The inspiration for the biography was the purchase of a miniature portrait of Carlisle for this collection, and it is shown here on the cover. The research has been fascinating and incredible, but also sobering, as it including the uncovering of a series of murders of pregnant women by famous men midwives of the 18C. This truly is an example where truth is stranger than fiction.

The book has been published on the Internet, as freely available for private research at:
 The Real Mr Frankenstein

Old Posts
December - Some additions - View
November - A record price and a sad story - View
October - Buyer Beware - how to waste $18,000 - View
October - The Real Mr Frankenstein now published! - View
September - Modern miniatures and research - View
August - Stolen miniatures - View
August - The Real Mr Frankenstein and wearing a miniature - View
August - A new book and a question about condition - View
July - Additions and market comment - View
June - An addition and some queries - View
May - Market snippets and more on fakes - View
April - Magazine articles on American miniatures - View
April - Snippets and painting miniatures - View
March - Snippets and an addition - View
February - The Yves St Laurent sale - View
February - Market place and an addition - View
January - An addition and various comments - View
2008
December - Annual Review for 2008 - View
December - Additions to the collection - View
December - The market- fake and genuine miniatures - View
November - Fake and genuine miniatures in the market place - View
November - Two additions - View
November- "Blog Following" and the market place - View
November - Miniatures of George Washington - fake and genuine. - View
November - Art of Mourning - View
October - The Case of the 4th Earl, the Harem, and the Great Art Fraud - View
October - A Spanish miniature portrait collection - View
October - The Market for Miniatures - View
October - More from the Market - View
September - A likely fake and the real Mr Frankenstein - View
September - The Case of the American Count and the Cookbook - View
September - New exhibition in Germany - View
August - American additions to the collection - View
August - Fakes, condition issues, and the market place - View
August - Preview - Comstock, Conger, Starr, and Stout families - View
August - The impact of the 1807 Embargo Act on miniatures - View
August - The Case of the Cabinet-Maker's Daughter - View
July - Researching sitters and decorative miniatures - View
July - American additions and Mr Darcy - View
July - The Case of Isaac Buckingham and The People vs McCool - View
June - Market place and miscellany - View
June - Additions to the collection and research - View
June - The Case of the Military Matriarch - View
May - Exhibitions, new literature, stolen miniature - View
May - New and recent literature on miniatures - View
May - Twenty years on the trail of William Douglas - View
May - Research and literature - View
May - American additions to the collection - View
May - The Case of the Speed Family and Abraham Lincoln - View
May - New Research and trivia - View
April - New dictionary of French miniature painters - View
April - The American market place - View
April - Une Collection Francaise - View Blog
April - Additions to the collection - View
April - Market place and other things - View
April - Miniature portrait of Benjamin West - View
April - Fakes and decorative miniatures - View
April - The Case of the von Cramon family and the Hitler bomb plot - View
March - Miscellany and more on museums - View
March - Additions to the collection - View
March - Market place - View
March - The exhibition of eBay Boycott Art - View
March - The Case of the British Rodin - View
February - Additions to the collection - View
February - The Case to Open the Museum Doors! - View
February - Stolen miniature portraits - View
February - Harriet Josephine Turner - View
February - Market place - View
January - Blue eyes, record price, - View
January - A forgotten family story - View
January - Additions to the collection - View
January - The Case of Walter Robertson - View

See also the Annual Review for 2007 and some previous cases below from:

An Art Collector's Casebook:

The Case of the Coal Mining Family from Ohio - View
The Case of the Lady Sculptor from Boston - View
The Case of the Mark Twain Portrait - View
The Case of the Link between Pocahontas and George Washington - View
The Case of the Lord Mayor of Melbourne - View
The Case of the Slave Trader's Widow - View
The Case of the Scandalous 19C Divorce - View
The Case of the Painter Princess - View
The Case of the 15 year old Eloping Heiress - View
The Case of the Gift from Napoleon - View
The Case of the Unknown Victoria Cross Winner - View
The Case of the Forgotten Author - View
The Case of the Chemistry Professor and the Spirit Mediums - View
The Case of the Portrait of Aaron Burr - View
The Case of the Governor's Grand March - View

(Please note that Copyright for all portraits and written content on this website and its subsidiary pages remains with the Owner, but images may be copied for private or educational research with an appropriate credit or an Internet link to this website. Clicking on About Me should bring up an email link.)

New American Additions in 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work in progress

-------------------------------------------- 

American miniatures added to the Artists and Ancestors collection since January 2026 include those below; Some items may be amended, and/or more added, during 2026.

 Visitors to this website, are welcome to offer comments, especially with suggested attributions. Helpful comments can be added to this post, or sent by email.

---------------------------------------- 

 

 

This miniature was offered a a "British miniature", but in being purchased, it was the opinion of this collector it was more likely an American miniature, painted c. 1770-80, which was later rehoused in imported British casework of around 1800. In the Met catalogue, there are similar rehoused examples, of smaller miniatures, rehoused in larger case-work, including on page 63, one by Nathaniel Hancock.

The miniature here, (ds 1526) is possibly by Hancock, but it also has similarities with miniatures of c.1775-80, painted by Charles Willson Peale. It has stronger colouring than most CWP miniatures, which often have a more blue colouring, due to fading and a fugitive red pigment, but may possibly have been re-touched at the time it was rehoused. Another, less likely artist is John Ramage, as his miniatures are more usually painted with the sitter in a left-facing profile.

Relevant in attributing early American miniatures is the sight size, this one being 32mm x 27mm. That size is identical to a 1769 self-portrait by John Singleton Copley, in the Met collection. The pose is also similar to that self-portrait, and to a Copley miniature of Moses Gill, painted c.1759.  The miniature also appears to have similar "gold-type" trim, as depicted in the self-portrait, also that of Gill, and another of Jeremiah Lee, painted by Copley in 1769. Copley left for London in 1775, so it is  faintly possible he painted this in London, and the work was a transitory piece bridging the "modest school" size of miniature, placed directly into the mew fashion for larger casework. Thus, it is possible the artist was Copley, but confirmation will need the opinion of someone more knowledgeable than this collector.

Miniatures by CWP, of a similar size, and in similar pose, and painted c.1776, are on pages 34-36 of the Met catalogue. Until a clearer  opinion surfaces, this miniature is attributed as a possible Charles William Peale. 

 --------------------------

Next is an American miniature, which after arrival, has been attributed to Anson Dickinson (1779-1852), it being in a typical red case of around 1835,  There are multiple similar miniatures in Anson Dickinson, the Celebrated Miniature Painter, 1779-1852, Connecticut Historical Society, by Mona Leithiser Dearborn, and in the Met.catalogue, pages 100-104.

There are other examples by Anson Dickinson elsewhere in this Artists and Ancestors collection. ds 1531.

 

 

 ------------------------------------------------

This next miniature is also believed to be American, probably from the Boston area, judging by the painted eglomise decoration on the border framing. The artist is less certain, but it may be by Daniel Dickinson (1795-1977), see the examples on pages 140-141 of the Met catalogue. ds 1532. 

The reverse has a hard to read note, needing more research, but appearing to read;

"Nicholas Fischer, son of Johann Seigfried. Fischer of Seliganne, Dobre (?) Bova set (?), Nauteo 1719 (?)."

 

 ---------------------

Another American miniature is more firmly attributed to Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827) ds 1534. The miniature, of 36mm x 30mm, is still in its original case, and has the typical blue toning of many CWP miniatures, with the reverse having a short, stuck on, note reading; "Capt. Loring RN. Mary Macneal of Ugadale.".

The previous owner, did not know the artist, and had assumed the miniature was a portrait of Admiral Sir John Wentworth Loring, KCB, KCH (13 October 1775 – 29 July 1852) a Royal Navy officer of the early nineteenth century, best known for his service in the Napoleonic Wars as a frigate commander. Born in the Thirteen Colonies at the outbreak of the American War of Independence, Loring's family fled to Britain and he subsequently joined the Royal Navy aged 13. In 1793, aged 17, Loring was badly wounded in combat at the start of the French Revolutionary Wars. He subsequently served throughout the following 23 years of warfare between Britain and France, and eventually became a full admiral. (Wikipedia)

John Wentworth Loring was born in October 1775 at the start of the American War of Independence to Joshua Loring, High Sheriff of Massachusetts. John's grandfather, Joshua Loring, had served in the navy in the Seven Years' War, commanding a squadron on the Great Lakes. The Loring family were Loyalists, and were ultimately forced to flee to Britain. In 1789, 13-year-old John Loring joined the Royal Navy, serving in HMS Salisbury before joining HMS Victory at the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars. (Wikipedia) See; 

Royal Naval Biography/Loring, John Wentworth

For comparative purposes, there is another CWP miniature of Colonel Pope in the collection, in original case, and the same blue toning. There is an apparent small paint loss on his shoulder, to represent where his Colonel's epaulette was positioned, perhaps in gold, which may have since fallen off. ds 1495

  

Joshua Loring (1716-81)

 

However, this collector doubted the portrait was of John Wentworth Loring, as it appeared to be painted c.1775-80, when John Wentworth Loring would have been aged only 5. 

Instead, before purchasing for this collection, the note on the reverse was researched online, leading to this collector's belief the miniature actually depicts Commodore/Captain Joshua Loring (1716-81), the grandfather of Admiral John Wentworth Loring. 

A portrait of Commodore Joshua Loring Sr. wearing a navy uniform, and wearing a bag wig, has obvious similarity with the CWP miniature. That portrait of Commodore Joshua Loring, at Jamaica Plain by Way of London — is displayed by the Jamaica Plain Historical Society. 

 

See; 

Commodore Joshua Loring, Jamaica Plain by Way of London — Jamaica ...

Joshua Loring Jr. (1744-89)

There is a long Wikipedia reference to Joshua Loring Sr. which is helpful, but is unfortunately, and mistakenly, illustrated with a portrait of his son, Joshua Loring Jr. (1744-89), which depicts Joshua Loring Jr. wearing a red British army uniform, as Commissary General and per the description below, 

Joshua Loring - Wikipedia

Whereas Joshua Loring Sr. was in the Royal Navy and so wore a blue uniform. The reference includes;

 Loring's eldest son, Joshua Loring, Jr., served as high-sheriff in Suffolk County, Massachusetts[ and was Commissary General of American prisoners-of-war in New York from 1777 until 1783. Together with William Cunningham, he was held responsible for the deaths from starvation and disease of thousands of Americans held prisoner on ships moored in New York Harbor. "[B]ut it is not easy to ascertain the truth, or to determine his personal responsibility in the treatment of prisoners." He was discharged from his office on the grounds of corruption and departed for England, where he died in 1789. Joshua Loring, Jr's son, John Wentworth Loring, served in the Royal Navy and rose to the rank of admiral." 

A popular story recounts that, asked by an old friend what he would do when faced by a choice between remaining loyal and supporting the popular spirit of revolt, Joshua Loring Sr. replied "I have always eaten the King's bread, and always intend to." 

The Loring family tree shows the connection, via the note on the reverse, between Joshua Loring Sr. and Mary Macneal of Ugadale. An abbreviation of the descendants in the Joshua Loring family tree at;   

Joshua Loring (1716-1781) - WikiTree

includes one of his sons, John Loring; 

John Loring (abt 1759 - 16 Nov 1808) m. Mary McNeal (02 Apr 1761) on 27 Apr 1795.

1. Mary Eliza (Loring) MacNeal (29 May 1802 - 25 Dec 1861) m. George MacNeal (abt 1793 - 23 Feb 1861) on 26 Dec 1821.
1. Hector MacNeal (10 Jul 1822 - 02 Oct 1905) m. Constance Glencairn Campbell (16 Jul 1839 - 02 Jan 1912) on 27 Mar 1862.
1. Mary Henrietta (MacNeal) Greenlees (20 Feb 1871 - 1917) m. Daniel Colville Greenlees (05 Mar 1869 - 11 Mar 1931) on 1896.

Hence the note on reverse of the CWP miniature "Capt. Loring RN. Mary Macneal of Ugadale.".refers to a granddaughter of Joshua Loring Sr.: Mary Eliza (Loring) Macneal, marrying George Macneal on 26 December 1821. The FindaGrave link for George Macneal, Esq. (1793-1861), of Ugadale, confirms Ugadale as his home, and his 1821 marriage to Mary Eliza Loring Macneal (1802-61); 

George MacNeal (1793-1861) - Memorials

 

There are multiple Internet links to the home built by Joshua Loring Sr. These include; 

History - The House

Slavery at the Loring Greenough House

 A partial history reads;

The history of the Loring Greenough House begins in 1760 when Joshua Loring, a commodore in the English Colonial naval forces, constructed the large four-square frame residence in the historic center of Jamaica Plain.  An outstanding example of Georgian Colonial architecture, the House was the hub of a large and actively developed farm that was Loring’s chief interest following his retirement from military service.  His life as a distinguished member of the Colonial gentry came to an abrupt end with the bitter factionalism of the incipient Revolution.  He fled the House in August 1774, for the greater security of Boston. He and his family permanently left Boston for England in 1776.

As there seems no reason to doubt the provenance outlined above, a genuine email attempt was recently made, to acquaint the Loring Greenough House, with this new discovery of a CWP miniature of Joshua Loring Sr. with the offer that they would be welcome to freely add the CWP image of Joshua Loring Sr. to their website if they so wished. 

But, no reply, nor any acknowledgement, was received from the managers of Loring Greenough House.

-----------------------------------------------

Another American miniature of a young man and recently acquired is dated around 1820-25. The portrait appears painted by an untrained hand. The artist is not immediately obvious, but there seem two possibilities; ds 1536.

 - George Loring Brown (1814-89) where the noses, pose, and profile are similar to two miniatures in the Worcester Art Museum catalogue, p.42-43. Presumably, Gorge Loring Brown was related to Joshua Loring in some way?  The G L Brown miniatures seem a close match, being in an untrained, almost primitive style.

 - Samuel F. B. Morse (1791-1872) where there is a young man in a similar pose on p. 129 of the Met catalogue. 

 

 -----------------

 

As a change from previous male sitters, an American addition is a well-dressed young lady; ds 1537

 

  Metropolitan Museum

 

Although, unusually, being painted on paper, as most miniatures are on ivory, the miniature is now attributed to William P Sheys (active 1813-23). Her ruff collar is typical of c.1820.

In size, profile, pose, and detail it is very similar to the William P Sheys portrait of a similar young lady on page 128 of the Met catalogue. The case is a typical, tired, red case of around 1820-40.

-------------------------------------------- 

The next American miniature is also of an attractive young lady wearing a black dress, in a battered, but also typical red case; ds 1551. She was likely painted around 1830-35, and there are multiple other examples in this collection of young ladies wearing similar black dresses from c.1830-35; So many that the iconic, "the little black dress", usually attributed to a 20C origin, was perhaps merely copying the"little black dresses" of c. 1830-35. 

There are multiple similar portrait of young ladies in black dresses, elsewhere in this Artists and Ancestors collection. ds 1531. No artist attribution has yet been made, but should be possible with some more research. One possibility is Christopher Martin Greiner.

However, a kind visitor has observed stylistic similarities with a miniature by Daniel F. Ames (1803-86), on page 158 of the Met catalogue. That suggestion is accepted, and hence now regarded as an attribution; that is, until any better idea emerges.    

 

 

 ---------------------------------------------

 With a little embarrassment, here are two modern American miniatures, of c.1970-80; ds 1540

 

 

 On of them is noted on the reverse as "a wax miniature by Aileen". They are small wax portraits of George and Martha Washington. What is unusual, is that the detailed wax heads and clothes, are embellished or decorated, with the addition of actual fabric and lace trimmings. 

Although they may not properly merit inclusion in a collection of American miniatures, they were acquired as "space fillers" instead of seeking out actual miniatures by Mary Way (1769-1833). Miniatures by her, are very rare, and highly valued, so unlikely for examples to ever be acquired for this collection. The Met catalogue, p.76, describes her work;

She made miniatures in watercolor on paper as well as "dressed" miniatures-collages of cut-paper watercolor profiles with costumes made from cloth, braid, lace, and other trimmings, all mounted on  a fabric background."

 Thus, these wax heads of George and Martha Washington, with lace and other trimmings are "space-fillers", as an approximation of the miniatures by Mary Way.

 ---------------------------------------

A more typical American 19C miniature, is this one of an elegant, but unknown, young man. Unusually, for miniatures of this period, the case is complete. ds 1557. The miniature dates to around 1830-35. The casework of ds 1557 is very plain, compared to the next example below, ds 1559a. That change to a plainer case, was a result of cost, partially due to the casework cost, but more likely, due to increased market competition from other artists, who were offering a lower overall cost. 

The case has not been opened, seeking a signature, as the bezel seems firmly in place. However, the portrait is comparable in style and date, to works by John Wood Dodge and Moses B Russell, both of whom normally included details on the backing paper inside the case. 

Works of similar quality by J W Dodge, and dating around 1830-40, are on pages 185-189 of the Met catalogue. With similar works by M B Russell on pages 193-194 of the Met catalogue.

There are multiple similar portraits of young men or of ladies, by J W Dodge or M B Russell, elsewhere in this Artists and Ancestors collection

---------------------------------------------- 

More research was needed on foliate or guilloche type milled American miniature casework, which had, unfortunately, lain as an unresolved question for this collector. These pieces are often characterised by carved borders, resembling leaves, with considerable.variation in the examples of milled edges. Which then tends to imply the casework was bespoke, i.e. made to fit the size of each individual ivory plaque, and decorated with a milled bezel to the miniature artist's specifications. 

However, a kind visitor has since made me aware of an example of a milling machine owned by the Pulmier Foundation, which is described by the Foundation as a rosette machine. The Foundation provides some history. In the early 16th century turning became a passion of expression for kings and queens and soon the rose engine lathe was invented. Aided by their court turners they pursued perfection, an impossible goal, as an expression of their core beliefs.

The passion would pervade the sovereigns from all corners of Europe, yet it would be over 150 years before the first practical treatise on the rose engine and turning would emerge. The son of a wood turner, Charles Plumier, himself a priest, botanist and turner, wrote his book, The Art of the Turner, in both Latin and French to optimize the number of people who could read it. 

L'art de tourner, ou de faire en perfection toutes sortes ...

Published in 1701 by Louis XIV, Plumier’s book would stand as the sole comprehensive treatise on the subject for over 80 years. The importance of the book cannot be overstated. Recognizing this, Peter the Great had it translated into Dutch and Russian. Charles Plumier’s passion was to educate, and The Plumier Foundation shares that passion and has taken up the charge in the 21st century. See; 

Plumier: Home

As can be seen in the photograph, the milling machine has a row of various and interchangeable cutting wheels. Presumably the operator had a range of samples for the artist to select from; and the operator was able to select one or more jigs (mechanical devices designed to hold and locate a component during machining), and mill a suitable pinchbeck (alloy of zinc and copper, used as imitation gold) rod to the desired length and design.   

The above, newly added American miniature of an unknown man, 52mm x 50mm, ds 1559a, is an excellent example of foliate or guilloche milling. It is unsigned, and the rear glass is cracked, but that is regarded as a minor deficiency. As can be seen, at an earlier stage it was modified to wear as a broach, perhaps by a widow, but that fitting was later removed. The long, full, sideburns, and white stock, suggest a date of around 1820-25. The case has not been opened, seeking a signature, as the bezel seems firmly in place

Before its arrival, it was thought likely to be by Thomas Edwards (1795-1869) who worked in Boston, and mostly painted landscapes. However, on arrival, a closer examination has led to an attribution to George Catlin (1796-1872), based upon a comparison with these two Catlin miniatures owned by the Metropolitan Museum. The bust pose, plain background, foliate casework on the second, and place on the ivory, are very similar. Catlin originally worked in Philadelphia, but in 1827 moved to New York. 

In American Portrait Miniatures, page 11, Lori Zabar, notes, such cases appeared first in  Philadelphia; and such a Philadelphia location aids in the above George Catlin attribution.

Met Museum - George Catlin

Met Museum - George Catlin

 

  

  

 Although most miniature portraits with casework with foliate/guilloche bezels, were oval in shape, the milling and bending of straight pieces of rod, did enable other formats to be formed and assembled. A rectangular bezel, not depicted here, is depicted in the Connecticut Historical Bulletin for October 1964; where page 129 includes a miniature portrait of Jabez William Huntington, with a rectangular foliate bezel.

 Zabar adds on page 21,  "A similar style of locket popular at the time in Scotland probably served as the source of the design." This collection includes various British miniatures in similar cases. An ornate Scottish example, is a miniature portrait by William Douglas, set in a bracelet, and believed to depict his daughter Charlotte Douglas. 

------------------------------------------

A benefit of having multiple American miniatures, is an ability, to try and group works by a single artist, and thereby improve the chances of an artist attribution. Acquired along with ds 1559a above, is this miniature of a young man ds 1559b. He is shown alongside two other miniatures in the collection, ds 914 and 549, supporting a strong opinion that all three are by the same, but still unattributed, artist.

ds 1559b

 

   

  

  

ds 549

 

 

 

 

All three miniatures, are of similar bust size, but with relatively small heads. They are all wearing a black stock, and have similar. but different foliate bezels.The foliate detail on the reverse of ds 1559b, although different to ds 1559a, likely required different jigs on a rosette machine. The bezel casework of all three is smaller than normal, with overall dimensions of ds 549, at 60mm x 48mm, ds 914, at 45mm x 37mm, and ds 1559b at 50mm x 42mm.

ds 914

---------------------------------------------- 

 There are several other American miniatures, still in transit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New British Additions in 2026

 

 Work in progress.

 Visitors to this website, are welcome to offer comments, especially with suggested attributions. Helpful comments can be added to this post, or sent by email.

--------------------------------------- 

This was purchased from America, but is an English "revival miniature" of c.1900-20. The vendor description recorded a belief it was either on hand-painted on paper or a lithograph, and it was offered as unsigned, although the vendor did note a date of 1918. ds 1533

 

 Although difficult to see, it appeared to be signed and then dated 1918 at lower left, almost under the frame. It is a little above average size for a miniature, with sight size of 130mm x 100mm, and when it arrived, it was possible to confirm it was painted, and was signed "Annie G Fletcher RMS 1918".

Researching her, established she was a member of the Royal Miniature Society, and Foskett records;

Fletcher, Miss Annie G[ertrude?] (Mrs E.J.Houle (fl.1895-1914) Exhibited at the R.A.1805-1914, from various London addresses. Painted miniatures and portraits in oil. Exhibits included a portrait in oil of the late General Sir Michael Biddulph G.C.B., R.A., Black Rod; Mrs Mullens; and Miss Hilda Marion, and Arnold, children of W. Wolfe Fletcher Esq.

 The 1918 date is thus, slightly later than the biographical dates earlier ascribed to her. In its Archieve Collection, the RMS lists, A School Girl by Mrs Annie G Houle 1896 nee Annie Fletcher, 

A School Girl by Mrs Annie G Houle 1896 nee Annie Fletcher

--------------------------------------------------------- 

 An interesting group of British miniatures was acquired as a single lot. ds 1539 a, b, c.

 

 

The portrait of King George V is well painted, as is that of Queen Mary wearing her robes for the 21 June, 1911 coronation of George V.. 

In 1914, to show support for the troops fighting in Europe, George V was photographed in military uniform and sent, along with a message to the troops.  The miniature here is very similar, but with one notable difference. In the official portrait he is not wearing a great-coat, whereas he is wearing a greatcoat in the miniature. 

 

 The miniature is unsigned, but of excellent quality, by a good artist, so one wonders why it is different. So far, no other source image, has been noted of George wearing a greatcoat. 

 

The miniature of Queen Mary shows her at the time of receiving her crown, as in an image of the time; 

The miniature of Victoria and Albert is by an amateur hand, but despite that, with quite good detail.  

 ----------------------------------------

This miniature was purchased from California in America, and appears to be 1820-40 American in style, and by the metal bezel casework, and is in a typical, period, ebonised rectangular frame.. It has been listed under British, but does not seem to fit the usual style of British 19C miniatures, where the backgrounds were generally lighter, and tend to lack the rectangular ormolu bezel; so prevalent in American miniatures. ds 1535  

The sitter has a kindly facial appearance, and Anson Dickinson seems a possible artist, However, there is an advertisement on the rear from London, which may be later packing. There are also reflections which confuse the detail. The packing has a date at the top of 1828, which has been hand altered to 1829. Such a date would fit with Anson Dickinson (1779-1952)..

It also seems possible the miniature was originally housed in a red leather case. Such cases often disintegrated over time, and a portrait would then need rehousing. In this instance, that might explain the original bezel being transferred, in around 1800, to a new ebonised frame, perhaps with new "period", packing on the reverse.  

 

 

 a

The advertisement refers to the General Annuity Society, an early insurance company, and appears to be soliciting donations from subscribers to that society on behalf of John Ariell who, "having carried on the Business of a grocer for 24 years at... street, Fitzroy Square" is in failing health. So far no other reference to him has been noted.