collodion and silver on glass photographic plates, paper, and metal
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 2 1/2 × 2 1/8 × 1/8 in. (6.4 × 5.4 × 0.3 cm)
Type:
ambrotypes
portraits
Date:
ca. 1860
Description:
This black-and-white photograph is a three-quarter-length portrait of an unidentified young woman seated with her left elbow resting on a table. The woman wears a striped dress with dropped shoulders and bell sleeves that have a decorative ruffle along the outside seam and around the cuffs. She has on a dark-colored straw hat with a flat crown and round, flat brim with a striped hatband. A black net veil with floral decorative lace is attached to the hat and placed behind the woman's face. A wide, dark-colored ribbon is tied in a bow around the woman's neck with the ends extending below her waist. It is unclear if the ribbon is attached to the hat or is a decorative neck accessory. The woman's cheeks are hand-tinted pink and her earrings, a ring on her right hand, and the chatelaine at her waist are gilded gold. The photograph is backed with brown paper and is housed in a metal frame with a decorative floral and scrollwork border. The reverse of the housing is blank.