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This is a really special late 18th century American School watercolor on ivory portrait miniature.  The beautiful woman wears her hair tucked beneath a black headband with some kind of light colored decoration at the edge (possibly pearls or beads).  Her face is framed with curls that peak from beneath the headband.  She wears a mid-sized gold hoop earring and two short necklaces of either gold or possibly one coral and one either gold or pearls.  Her gauzy white empire styled dress is belted just below her bosom with a blue sash.  She wears a lace tucker as filler above the low cut dress.    In the photos, there appears to be a large white speck on her proper left eye (to the viewer's right) iris.  It must have been a dust speck on the glass because I can't find it on the portrait even with a loupe.  The red on the bust-line of her dress are deliberate but very lightly applied red brush strokes, similar to the red brushstrokes that outline the top part of her necklaces.  I'm not sure whether the artist was indicating the possibility that the lady was wearing a miniature hidden inside her very translucent dress...or what.  It is very intriguing.  There is an old label on the reverse that attributes this portrait to William Verstille.  Although I see some similarities to Verstille's work and the time period is correct, I do not believe this portrait is by him.  It certainly seems to me to be one of his American contemporaries.  However, I must note that another dealer of portrait miniatures has suggested that this miniature is English Provincial....in my opinion, it is American School....but that difference of opinion is what makes attributions exactly what they are....learned opinions that vary between experts.  The original papier mâché frame measures 4 1/2" x 5 1/2".  The frame had lost its acorn hanger so I stole one off an empty frame and have added it to this one.  Size of the ivory is 2 1/2" x 3 1/2".  Circa 1790.  A lovely naïve portrait miniature that will complement any American folk art or portrait miniature collection.

(#4405)     $1500

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