Questions about a small framed (antique) inherited portrait

A friend of mine inherited this small framed portrait. I'm guessing the size to be about 8" x 6". The material appears to be possibly ivory, or perhaps bone.

Here is a partial photo of the back.

Recently she visited the "museum room" of the Glen Foerd mansion on the Delaware in Bristol. The room contained Margaret Forrder's very extensive art collection. This was among other small pieces in a curio cabinet. Except for a different image, it appears nearly identical to hers. There was a mirror in the back of the cabinet, and she tells me the back was also the same as hers.

Can anyone enlighten us as to what she has?

As always, thank you in advance!

 

The frame could be ivory assembled from piano keys. The printed paper on the back is intended to make the item seem older, but likely has nothing to do with the age of the miniature. A good close-up of the image might help others to assess its age and quality.

 

Was there any information available on your example at the exhibit?

 

Unfortunately, I am not in a position to photograph the item. It's about 30 miles from here. I'm making this inquiry for a friend.

 

I was not personally at the exhibit.

 

've just learned from the owner that it really is miniature: 5 1/4 x 4 1/4

 

Here are some similar-looking pieces... different faces, but some are purported to be verrrrry old and verrry valuable...
Of course, the eternal question of authenticity, but still... interesting.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=UQpEz8iv&id=C8AE72AC2C9DD0994972161B9A119858C35FA56F&psimid=0&pimgurl=https://www.antiquers.com/proxy.php?image=http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e28/northernridge/northernridge160/penny_zpsurzdusuf.jpg&hash=fc0f2bafd2388db7fab73eccd85fbd0f&ppageurl=https://www.antiquers.com/threads/questions-about-a-small-framed-antique-inherited-portrait.9589/&iss=VSI&selectedIndex=2&count=35&adlt=strict

 

You could contact the museum - they'd probably be happy to help if the exhibit is still up.

You don't mention any signature. I saw two listed as "Italian" early 20th Century, so I'm thinking they were thinking "Decorative."

The one Gila posted above sold at Burchard's sold for $170 - also no signature or mention of who she is...

So unless it has a signature, I'd say safe to say it's decorative.

That was a popular framing style. Those on the right also say early 20th Century.

 

Thank you, Gila. I don't know how you do it!

 

My friend does indeed have an inquiry in to the museum. Thank you!

 

GG - you can add a short name for the link you want, then select the little link above (7 icons in) and add the long url.

Like theese!: GG!

 

Update: My friend has heard from the curator at the Glen Foerd Mansion:

"Why our two objects are very similar! So much so that if I were to guess I would say they are the same manufacturer. The metallic frames appear to be the same although yours was hard for me to see in detail from the photo. Both have Latin bible pages on the back. Yours appears to be Joshua Chapter 3, Preparations for Crossing the Jordan. The carving pattern is almost identical. Our image is painted directly onto ivory and is an image of Jenny Lind.

"These frame miniatures were very popular in the mid-1800s. They are sometimes called piano key frames as the width of the blocks are similar to piano keys and the frames are typically inlay of ivory over a wooden frame. Our frame is ivory. If your frame is pretty smooth to the touch, and has a variation of wavy and swirled coloring, which is an indication of the growth of the tusks, it may be ivory. Bone typically has tiny notches where the marrow would have been. There were manufacturers of faux ivory, and the only true way to tell faux from real is the heat up a pin and see if in an inconspicuous place the pin melts into the substance. Didn't melt- you've got ivory."

 

Sounds like your friend got some good information from the museum. I remembered that we've had discussion threads about these sorts of pictures in the past. I just found one of them:

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/3-bone-ivory-framed-miniature-portraits.1873/

I'm guessing that your friend's items might be taken from identifiable paintings also.

 

That was so very cool of them to give so much information!

They were mostly popular figures, like Napoleon, Jenny Lind - she was a Swedish singer who toured the world with PT Barnum, if that gives any sense of how popular SHE was!

So it's likely yours in a copy of well-known painting of another wildly famous "Lady" from the era of her dress...

They were sometimes painted on a very thin sheet of ivory, as she helpfully mentioned.

Hey! I just noticed 6rivets ("Grivets" I used to call her) on that thread - wish she'd show up - she'd know exactly when that dress was worn!

 

It's alllll good!
Scout, thanks. I will try that!!!!!!

 

I'm amazed they told you to try the hot pin test......

 

Right???????