posted 12-15-2004 03:57 PM            

For some reason the site wouldn't accept 8 pictures so I made it 9 and split it.

The last case is rather unusual. The case seems quite likely hand made. It doesn't show the sophistication of most examples. While it is signed Mme. Maetner (sp?) 1804 it seems unlikely that it is French, at least in the sense of metropole France. With the palm trees in the background it seems likely that it is American in the sense of being from somewhere in this hemisphere. Unfortunately I have never found any miniature artist listed with a similar name. There were a lot of female miniature artists, they often did paintings of women and children as they and their sitters were more comfortable with the relationship, sometimes they were also able to do hair designs as in this one.

I personally would love to see any miniatures out there posted, but am restraining this thread to American metal cased ones. Anyone out there who can show us some? I should warn people that it is dangerous, even for the experienced to open cases like those photographed.

posted 12-15-2004 04:26 PM            

I have a tiny, miscellaneous collection of a related craft: fittings from hair jewelry, particularly bracelet clasps. Most of these seem to be handmade out of gold-washed silver or low karat gold. They're probably later than the frames you're posting, from the mid 19th century.

posted 12-15-2004 05:41 PM            

Thanks for sharing all of your little gems!

posted 12-15-2004 11:05 PM            

First welcome to the Forums, I sort of read your thread, but was waiting for the dust to settle. There are some disadvantages to being nearly illiterate (in 4 languages), or maybe I am dyslexic. In any case, your enthusiasm is refreshing. Most of the hair jewelry I have seen is only a decade or so later than the St. Louis miniature, if that. I have had or seen some quite interesting pieces. Unfortunately except for English pieces, none were marked. I know that tradition tells us that these pieces were woven from a loved one’s hair, but personally I doubt it. Usually when you find hair in the back of a miniature, it seems to be a souvenir of the sitter (sometimes deceased, so maybe “sitter” is not the best term). The hair is the normal thickness and color expected. On the other hand the bracelets, watch chains, pins, etc. are often coarse brown hair. Often it is fitted in a manor that would be difficult after the manufacture. I also have seen ads for hair jewelry from the time, that doesn’t mention bringing in your own hair. My guess is that most of those watch chains are horse hair (or close to it). I ran into someone who only wanted blond hair, which made me think. I know blonds were less common before peroxide, but certainly one should find different shades of color. Instead 95% of what I have seen is the same coarse brown hair. Please if you have anything unusual, post some photos.

Brent.. I agree, although the term non-culinary threw me for a moment. I have always liked early spectacles and cane heads because they were either very personal or presentation pieces. I know we both like cuff links, but perhaps we should post some other items. Spectacles were often shown in silversmith’s ads c.1845, they might be a start.

posted 12-20-2004 08:15 AM            

I do not know what the metal is that is used on these miniatures and I know you wanted to see American miniatures, but with your French interests I thought you may enjoy seeing this little book It only measures 3 ¾” by 2 ½”. It has a mirror sewn into the inside front cover and has a fold out calendar for the year 1815.

We brought it some years ago to make sure the miniatures would not be removed from the book.

posted 12-22-2004 03:15 PM            

The pictures below are of several miniatures that my wife found. The one of the gentleman has a gold frame and a locket of hair on the reverse. The artist did have some formal training as the shading he used on the man's face looks right. The lady is also in a gold frame and I would think was painted by an artist with more formal training than the artist of the gentleman. The last picture is of a little girl and is the most appealing to me. She is in a gold frame without a permanent back. As a result the picture can be removed and is the only one that I actually know was done on ivory.

Thanks for the offer to translate some of the pages of our little book. Once I learn how to take better close-ups I will get some of the pages to you.

posted 12-22-2004 04:15 PM            

The second is French, it looks quite nice, but it is difficult to tell whether it is of the period or a good example of the copiest. It is worth investigating. It does look as if the edge is water damaged, which is often the case. Unfortunately French miniatures are often signed on the edges.