Antique French Portrait Miniature, c.1810-20 Woman w Guillotine Haircut, Mourning Hair Art Pendant

An exceptionally fine little work of art, the face is only 1/2″ from chin to hairline and yet is very fine – look at the eyes in particular. Napoleon era, she wears her hair in a Titan cut, chopped in back as was customary when one was headed to guillotine so the long hair would not interfere with the blade. The locket could be earlier, late 1700s. It is made in the ‘oyster’ form, thick domed cover glass on each side, the other side is a plaited generous lock of hair. I want to know her story – memento of a relative who was lost to The Terror (beheadings after French Revolution). These were very treasured mementos, and the frame has a look of gold but I don’t see a gold mark and haven’t yet tested it. Full measurements are noted on the photos. 

Very good to excellent condition for age and type. No damage to either cover glass, the frame is brilliant gold – likely a lower karat but I’ll test and annotate. No loss to the painting, no disruption to the plaited hair, but a little inner surface dust to the glass which appears to be from the egg white used to work with the locks of hair. I don’t see how to open the locket to clean it. Magnificent little treasure, about 210-230 years old now.