Current hand sewing set up - repurposed a silver sugar pot for scraps and thread ends and put my pincushion on top as a lid. Using a copper engraving plate as a tray and of course repurposed spools I put modern thread on for aesthetics. Beeswax thread conditioner is from a local apiary.
Inherited this piece and at first thought it was a family ancestor. My great aunt recently passed and she was an exceptionally good family genealogist and record keeper and so were her parents and their parents. Also - this isn’t an uncommon thing to happen. While helping her sort and organize we found a water colour on ivory in a massive sterling locket of her grandmother circa 1902…
However this one stumped my cousin and I… my aunt would have told us about it if was someone we were related to.
FINALLY took the backing off to reveal it has a sticker from Haynes Art Gallery in Toronto which looks from the 1940s to 60s. However the back of the portrait has very old cursive “Light to the left” but I gather that is more so an instruction for the owner in displaying it (unless I’m mistaken!)
The number “4657” is repeated on the matting stating “4657 bra” which tells me it has to do with framing I think during the mid 20th century.
My question if you’ve made it this far is a possible date corroboration for this portrait. My guess is 1850s? Maybe earlier maybe later but the drop shoulders and v shaped bodice along with the curls indicate to me that it’s mid 19th century.
I’d also love an opinion on if you think this is water colour over pencil or if it’s a coloured pencil? I don’t know much in this regard.
Thank you!!!! I hope you enjoy her also. I think she’s lovely whether we’re blood or not. Definitely don’t mind showing her off in this group regardless!