Elegant 18k Gold Pendant RARE Portrait Miniature Incroyables et Merveilleuses c.1795-99 Fashion

The dates for this remarkable 18th century French portrait miniature in 18k gold pendant frame cannot be mistaken, nor the political statement it makes. Rich and spoiled young Royalists, during the 5-year period 1795-1799 dressed in elaborately crafted clothing which seemed at once frivolous, and yet also protested The Terror, the guillotine, and the displacement of Royals and those who supported them. You’ll want to look at the history of this most unique fashion statement. The dog-ear hair, the high collar (that coat would be cropped, I’m certain, to just above waist), the colorful enboidered silk vest and, notably, the overly thick ascot which was a mimic of the severing of heads at guillotine. Portraits from this era, these wealthy young people at a time of chaos after the French Revolution, trying to make sense of their losses – they’re personal favorites among portrait miniatures.

Very good to excellent condition for age and type. This one is mounted in 18k gold, a pendant, and while I feel certain it once had a convex cover glass on backside, as well, covering a full plaiting of hair, at some point it has had a flat backing professionally set with gold soldered brackets. The item is small, and we’ve greatly enlarged it in our photos – so much so, you can see tiny imperfections in the original cover glass.I have not ever taken this one out of the mount. Photos taken through the cover glass.