Lot 172
**Originally Listed At $2000**
Central Europe, probably Germany, ca. early 18th century CE. A noble portrait miniature of a gentleman on vellum protected by glass and framed by a golden pendant with an incised coat of arms on the verso. Clad in metal armor with decorative red details, the man turns his head to his left while looking right. Thick waves of a long, powdered wig crown his head, framing his stern visage of straight brows, dark eyes, an up-turned nose, and thin lips. On the verso, the elaborate armory features an ornate escutcheon with 3 garbs of wheat divided by an engrailed chevron and topped with a left-facing helmet and a wheat crest. An intricate, vegetal mantling envelops the entire coat of arms. The man's dress and the helmet at the top of the crest indicate that he was a member of the military. Size: 1.6" L x 1.1" W (4.1 cm x 2.8 cm); gold quality: 86% (equivalent to over 20 karats); weight: 10.4 grams
According to Christina J. Faraday, "There is no substitute for seeing portrait miniatures first-hand. At only 56cm in diameter, the astonishingly small scale at which artists achieved such intricacy and psychological penetration is impossible to appreciate unless seen in person. The term 'portrait miniatures' was rarely used by the Elizabethans, who preferred the terms 'limning' or 'pictures in little'. Yet, despite their small dimensions, miniatures have exerted powerful effects on their viewers, whether Elizabethan or contemporary. Period sources brim with anecdotes about the longing gazes and secret passions that miniatures encouraged." (Christina J. Faraday, "Little Britain - the Elizabethan passion for portrait miniatures" Apollo Magazine - 13 April 2019)
Provenance: private Boynton Beach, Florida, USA collection; ex-private Somerset, UK collection
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#174604
- Condition: Intact, excellent, and wearable as a pendant. Nice preservation of pigments and incised details.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |