Oh, thank goodness the federal government finally decided that we can continue to collect antique items made at least partially of ivory such as this fabulous folk art portrait miniature! So many antique dealers and museums labored long and hard to make the government understand that these true antique pieces do not pose a threat to living elephants.

This stunning and vibrant naïve portrait miniature of what appears to be two sisters is a knock-out that will draw everyone close to see the details. Each girl wears short hair. The older sister’s red hair is parted down the middle and beautifully highlighted by the light shining on it. The younger sister’s hair is a bit darker, almost brown, and brushed forward onto her forehead. The girls wear matching white muslin dresses with empire waists and short, draped sleeves. Each wears a matching single strand of red beads (probably coral to ward off evil) around her neck. Both gaze directly at the viewer with big blue eyes as they hold hands. The older girl sits in a graceful wood chair. A red half-drape sets off the right half of the painting while a column to the left of the youngest follows the Grecian theme created by their dresses.

The painting and its wafer are in near perfect condition (I can’t find a think wrong with either). The painting is housed in a period, but not original, ogee styled, maple veneer frame that measures 8 7/8” x 7 3/8”. The inside of the frame rabbet has been built up with a period composition decorated gilded frame liner with a more traditional gilt frame liner inside the decorated one. The size of the ivory is about 3 ½” x 3 1/8”. Circa 1810.