Featured Antique Frame Surprise!!

Hey yall! I went to the antique store today in search of an old frame for a project I’m working on. I picked up a nice, very old frame with a crappy looking still life print inside for cheap. To my surprise, there was an original, very well-preserved charcoal portrait hidden behind it—it was used as the backing! Any idea on an approximate age of the portrait?

thanks in advance!

 

Edwardian. Early 1900s. And too bad she's become separated from her family. The print is by John (Jeno) Friedlinger who's known for those lush still lives.

Debora

 

I think thats an enhanced photograph .

 

I'd think so too.

Debora

 

I'd guess it has more value than most, being a person of color.

Sell it as Black Americana.

 

Was charcoal used as a way to enhance photographs in that era?

 

Quite commonly.
https://familytreemagazine.com/photos/charcoal-portraits/

 

On second look... I think she's a bit earlier. That looks like a leg of mutton sleeve, an 1890s fashion. So very late Victorian, right at the turn of the century.

Debora

 

AKA crayon portrait and solar enlargement.

 

There's nothing at all on her back?

Debora

 

Unfortunately nothing written on the back

 

May I ask what part of the world you found it in?

Debora

 

That's a beautifully retouched photo of a colored woman-fairly rare for the time period (?).It almost has the finesse of a lithograph.

 

A very attractive woman too, I'm sure there will be interest in the photo.

 

So similar to this.

Debora

 

A black suffragette would have been a brave woman indeed.