[Ambrotype portrait of an unknown woman]
Maker and role
Unknown, Photographer
Production date
1854-1870
Object detail
Accession number
16-0667
Maker
Production period
Description
Collodion positive or Ambrotype showing a young seated woman with dark centre parted hair that has been pulled back into a loose bun. The image does not show her legs only to where her hands are placed in her lap. She is wearing a dark gown with a white collar. There is a ribbon threaded under the collar that is tied in a bow at the front. The ends of the ribbon are cut into a pyramid shape with one on the left and two on the right. White sleeves show under the ends of the dress sleeves. The dress has a darker bands of a different material at the shoulder running a short distance down the arm and just above the wide ends of the sleeves. The belt is held with a gold coloured oblong clasp. The woman is looking to the right side of the viewer. Behind her right shoulder is the curved top the chair in which she is seated. Under her left arm is the back of the chair is which she is seated, possibly a chaise lounge.
Encased in a black leather case with a faded brown front cover that has two rectangles marked on it, hinged, with a central brass hook that latches onto a hoop on the upper edge. The inside of the case has a faded red coloured plush lining that has a floral pattern in the middle surrounded by a rectangle of curved leaves. There is a thin gold coloured pattern of circles and oblongs along the outer edges of both sides. The image is within a gold coloured metal mat that has been engraved with a repeating leaf pattern. The edges of the mat are outlined with a line of dots. The edges of the mat have been cut into a series of curves and peaks. The rectangular inner edge is metal impressed with what looks like a repeating leaf pattern at the corners with a floral pattern at the centre top, centre bottom and centre of the sides. The rectangular outer edge is fabric that probably originally matched the red plush fabric inside the front cover.
Encased in a black leather case with a faded brown front cover that has two rectangles marked on it, hinged, with a central brass hook that latches onto a hoop on the upper edge. The inside of the case has a faded red coloured plush lining that has a floral pattern in the middle surrounded by a rectangle of curved leaves. There is a thin gold coloured pattern of circles and oblongs along the outer edges of both sides. The image is within a gold coloured metal mat that has been engraved with a repeating leaf pattern. The edges of the mat are outlined with a line of dots. The edges of the mat have been cut into a series of curves and peaks. The rectangular inner edge is metal impressed with what looks like a repeating leaf pattern at the corners with a floral pattern at the centre top, centre bottom and centre of the sides. The rectangular outer edge is fabric that probably originally matched the red plush fabric inside the front cover.
Media/Materials
Physical description
1 ambrotype : black, white and gold ; 7 x 6 cm, cased 9 x 8 cm
Record level
Item
Credit Line
Unknown. 1854-1870. [Ambrotype portrait of an unknown woman], 16-0667. Walsh Memorial Library, The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
Production place
Place of production not identified
Current rights
Public comments
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