Antique 19th C Oil Portrait Painting Signed Victorian Gilt Shadow Box Frame

Details

Description

Antique 19th C Oil Portrait Painting Signed Victorian Gilt Shadow Box Frame

Description:

Striking antique 19th-century portrait of an older … Read more Antique 19th C Oil Portrait Painting Signed Victorian Gilt Shadow Box Frame

Description:

Striking antique 19th-century portrait of an older gentleman, executed in oil on artist’s board or panel and retaining an impressive period Victorian presentation frame.

The sitter is depicted formally dressed in black with a high white collar, with long white hair and a remarkably expressive face. The portrait has a wonderfully sober, early-to-mid-19th-century character, although the exact identity of the gentleman has not been established.

Google chrome came up with a possible match of Samuel Nelson (1792-1873) and influential New York jurist and Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court

A faint artist’s signature or inscription is visible in the lower left portion of the painting. It is difficult to decipher and no firm artist attribution is being made and dated. Possibly "A. Hamlin 1872"
Of particular interest is the small period brass presentation plaque mounted beneath the portrait, hand-lettered:

“From Mrs. Emma Bean Ensign and Minnie S. Bean.”

The painting is housed first in an ornate gilt molded frame with foliate corner decoration, which is then mounted within a substantial black Victorian deep-set / shadow-box frame. The combination makes for an unusually handsome period presentation.

Approximate dimensions:

* Overall shadow-box frame: 20.5” wide x 23.5” high

* Visible artwork: 13.25” wide x 16.25” high

Condition:

Antique condition with age-related wear throughout. The gilt inner frame has scattered chips, cracks and finish loss. The outer black shadow-box frame has surface wear, scattered paint loss and is missing a section of lower trim. The original/front glass is no longer present. The reverse retains an old backing and hanging wire and shows considerable age and evidence of earlier framing. Painting has surface wear, grime/toning and other age-related characteristics visible in the photographs.

No restoration or cleaning has been attempted.

A compelling early American-style portrait with an excellent untouched appearance, period framing, named family presentation plaque and considerable decorative presence. See less