SUPERB Studio 1/6 Plate Dag of a Fashionable Lady, c.1844!

Fine Art : Photography : Daguerreotypes/American/1840s

 

Dating to ca. 1843-1845, this is an exquisite example of a very early portrait daguerreotype!

This 1/6 plate dag is housed in its original brown leather full case, and is a fabulous example of early American photography! The subject is a fashionable young lady of perhaps 25 years old. This lady looks into the camera with confidence, and she is really quite a beauty with her dark hair and intelligent, piercing eyes. She wears her hair smoothed and oiled, with long bottle curls.

This lady is properly corseted, and depicts wealth and high social standing in her up-to-the-minute black silk dress, which boasts rows of ruching at the sleeve caps, and plenty of pleats in the bodice and skirt. The tightness of her sleeves indicate a date no later than 1845. She wears a white collar with short ribbons, held by a large gold brooch highlighted in gilt. She also wears small drop earrings, and I think I detect a wedding ring on her left hand. Her hands are folded on her lap, and she is the very picture of quiet grace and dignity - the ideal of the early Victorian lady!

This dag is not signed, but it was clearly taken by a professional studio photographer! The contrast and clarity are first-rate! The dag is housed in its original full case, with red cut velvet on the inside. The matte is plain, undecorated gold, common to daguerreotypes of the 1840s. The image is clean, with no wipes or halos. Any reflections you see in the photos are from my camera lens. The seals and tapes have been professionally restored. What a beauty!

The front of the leather-covered full case is decorated with a bouquet of flowers - very unique! The case also retains its side hook. Measuring 3 1/2" x 3 1/4", this dag and case is fresh and in fantastically preserved condition. The hinge is sound, and the case is very lovely.

If you collect the finest in early photographs, this exceptional daguerreotype will make a prized addition to your collection! This is a lovely image of a very appealing subject - do not miss it!

Item ID: 1186