An older woman in glasses and lace bonnet.
Category
Photographs
Date
1857 - 1870
Materials
Glass, Leatherette or leather, Wood, Velvet, Brass
Measurements
120 x 95 x 17 mm
Collection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1522393
Summary
An ambrotype quarter plate image depicting a three-quarter-length studio portrait of a seated older woman wearing metal rimmed glasses on the end of her nose. She is wearing a lace bonnet, dark shawl and patterned dress. The image has been scratched away on her neck brooch and ring to produce a highlighted effect. The image is set behind a gold painted glass mat, which has a fine rope effect detail around the oval aperture. There is a rectangular cover glass and a decorative narrow brass preserver. These elements are set in a maroon leather case lined in plain maroon velvet. The case has two swing pin closures on the right. The lid is self-hinged by the leather covering but this has broken away and is now separate. The front of the case is stamped in gold with the initials M S in gothic capitals. Beneath this is the date - 1857. The back of the case is stamped in gold with the photographer's details printed within a shield shaped border: "Eastham's Photographic Portrait Gallery, 7 Market St. Manchester". NOTE: See Inventory No. 1522392 - a partner object - appears to be another family member, possibly a sister of this woman. Condition/deterioration: There are several patches of mould between the mat and the cover glass.
Provenance
Donated on 11 July 2017 to the Fox Talbot Museum by Mr G. Stamp, London.