SPECIAL 1/4 Plate Studio Dag of Teenaged Beauty, c.1857!

Antiques : Art : Daguerrotypes

 

Dating to ca. 1855-1860, this large 1/6 plate American daguerreotype of a pretty young lady is a marvel of early photography!

When I look for fine daguerreotypes, my main interest is in the pleasing aspect of the subject, and superb examples of period costume. This example has all of the bells and whistles!

This image depicts a young lady of perhaps 16 years old. This light-eyed brunette beauty clearly comes from a wealthy family; she wears an up-to-the-minute costume, but her black silk dress and sparse jewelry indicate that she may be in the final stage of mourning. This young woman is tightly corseted, and her dress features wide, bell-bottomed sleeves with plenty of silk ruching. She wears beautiful black lace mitts which enhance her long, graceful fingers, and a white lace collar pinned with a gold brooch, highlighted in gilt by the photographer.

This girl's abundant hair is swept back in smooth folds over her ears, and a black silk ribbon falls over her right shoulder. She looks into the camera with a slightly shy expression; perhaps this is the first time she has had her picture taken. Her rosebud mouth and clear complexion makes her an ideal beauty for the mid-19th century. It is possible that this image was taken upon her entrance into society; she appears to be just the right age to be "coming out."

This image measures 3 3/4" x 3 1/4" in its original tooled leather case, with its original red velvet cushion and ornate gold matte. It appears to have never have been taken out of its case. The image is wonderfully clear, with only a halo around the border of the matte that does not interfere with the image. The case retains its two original hooks.

A rare image in any size, this is a wonderful, large example of a beautiful subject. This image comes out of my personal collection of early photography, but I cannot display it with my three elderly cats slinking around, so I am offering it for the consideration of my Ruby Lane clientele. My photos truly do not do it justice!

If you collect the finest in American daguerreotypes, this lovely example will make a fabulous addition to your collection. Do not miss this fashionable young lady; she is literally the very picture of a wealthy antebellum belle, and the photographer, though unknown, was an expert!

Item ID: 861