Sir Humphry Davy After Lawrence, Victorian Portrait Frame, 1900, Wood

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Hand-painted floral garlands and delicate turquoise ribbon bows embellish the dished rim of this turned wooden miniature frame. Finished in … Read more Hand-painted floral garlands and delicate turquoise ribbon bows embellish the dished rim of this turned wooden miniature frame. Finished in a rich, dark mahogany tone with a soft gloss sheen, the circular border creates an attractive surround for small portraiture, decorated at four points with pastel flower blossoms and trailing ribbon ties. Circular portrait is a lithograph, not painted. Enclosed beneath glass is a miniature portrait of the celebrated British chemist and inventor Sir Humphry Davy (1778–1829), reproduced after the well-known Regency portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence. Davy is shown half-length against a muted background, attired in a tailored dark double-breasted coat over a high-collared white shirt and folded cravat. The reverse is finished with dark textured backing paper secured by small retaining pins and fitted with a textile hanging loop for wall mounting. A typed vintage biographical label affixed to the back outlines notable milestones from Davy's life and scientific career, including his early work with nitrous oxide at the Pneumatic Medical Institute in Clifton, his appointments at the Royal Institution, his isolation of alkali metals, and the development of the miners' safety lamp. Dating to around 1900, the turned roundel design reflects the late Victorian revival of interest in historical portrait miniatures and decorative cabinet pieces for the parlour or library. The frame measures approximately 14.2 cm across the outer diameter, with an aperture diameter of 8.5 cm. The painted wooden rim remains sound and bright, showing only minor surface rubbing, faint finish scuffs, and expected age-related toning to the reverse paper. We ship internationally, tracked. Please see our other items for sale, where we combine shipping on multiple lots. We also offer freight shipping for larger furniture pieces. See less