Description
Date: c. 1795 – 1805, but mostly likely 1798-1801, Georgian era
Materials: watercolor, opaline flint glass (paste), sheet foil, human hair, mother of pearl, miniature pearls (natural seeded and imitation paste), gold filigree wire, black and white enamel, organic wafer, solid 9k rose gold (unmarked; tested with electronic gold tester)
Weight: 32.8 grams
Workmanship origin: English
Diameter of pendant: 48 mm
Diameter of miniature scenes: 42 mm
Depth of pendant: 13.8 mm (at maximal point)
Height of pendant: 60 mm (including bail)
Condition: the portrait miniature shows subtle age-related warping (it bows inward somewhat); it is however free from hairline-cracks or any structural damage. Two pearl beads in the urn-and-weeping-willow miniature had fallen off and one was missing; my jeweler carefully opened the cover glass and resecured these elements with HXTAL NYL-1, an optically clear non-yellowing epoxy used by museum conservators to restore glass and porcelain. Using a miniaturist’s paint brush, HXTAL NYL-1 was lightly brushed under all elements within the miniature, to ensure their stability and security for the years to come. The cover glass on both sides are well preserved: no scratches can be observed with the naked eye; under 40x loupe magnification, I can spot some artificial age-related surface wear. Enamel is well preserved on both sides. There is general light age-wear to the gold and enamel surface throughout. Due to significant copper content in the 9k rose gold, some areas of the frame has tarnished to a darker hue. By design, the cover glass on the portrait side does not sit flush against the frame (see video for details; described for accuracy, but not a condition “flaw”.)