ENGLISH SCHOOL (C.1800) PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF A GENTLEMAN WITH MOURNING REVERSE.

England, circa 1800
Watercolour on ivory, the reverse glazed to reveal elaborate mourning arrangement with hair, seed pearls, enamel, and gilt detail, set in a yellow metal pendant frame, 7.5 x 6.5cm overall size including frame.

This sensitively rendered portrait miniature depicts a young gentleman dressed in Regency attire — a dark blue coat, high-collared white waistcoat, and neck cloth. His forward-facing pose and slight turn of the head are combined with a direct, introspective gaze. The sitter’s long, lean face and tousled hair give him a fashionably romantic air, a style favoured during the early 19th century.

The reverse of the frame is of particular note. Beneath the original convex glass is a rare and beautifully preserved mourning arrangement, featuring:
• A lock of blonde hair curled in an elegant loop and tied with seed pearls
• Gilt wire sprigs and dried floral elements
• A central oval cobalt blue glass plaque set in gold, possibly intended to bear initials or a name (though none are present)

This kind of reverse treatment was common in high-quality memorial miniatures, indicating that the sitter was likely deceased at the time of commission, and the piece served as a mourning token for a close relative.

Cites ref: W29VX4VP

CITES permit is included. Exporting outside the EU will require an additional export permit.