18th Century Portrait Miniature 18th Century

Name: A Fine Portrait Miniature of a Lady by James Ferguson (Scottish 1710 -1776)
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1239795
Price: 425 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing

ObjectPortrait Miniatures
Period18th century
StyleGeorgian
MaterialGiltwood, Glass, Paper, Ink
ColourGold and Grey
MotifsOval aperture, Rococo scrollwork frame, Grisaille drawing, Georgian drapery

This 18th century portrait miniature originates from the Georgian period and depicts a lady with one hand held in front of her. Executed in pencil on card by the Scottish artist James Ferguson, the artwork presents a grisaille drawing rendered in grey tones. The lady wears traditional Georgian dress with detailed drapery over her shoulders, and her hair is styled back in a braid. The composition is set behind glass within an oval aperture, creating a monochrome visual effect. The drawing rests inside an ornate, decorative gilt metal frame embellished with elaborate Rococo scrollwork along the outer border, complete with a small hanging loop at the top. The frame displays a reflective metallic gold finish with subtle signs of age visible across the gilded surface. Measuring 6.5 cm, the compact piece suits narrow wall space in an English country house interior, where it hangs neatly to provide a discreet focal point within a room.

FAQs

A portrait miniature is a small-scale, highly detailed portrait usually executed on vellum, ivory, or paper. During the 18th century, these intimate keepsakes were rendered in watercolor, ink, or graphite and presented as personal tokens of affection or remembrance.

Georgian artisans typically worked with graphite, Indian ink, or watercolor on substrates such as card, vellum, or sliced elephant ivory. The finished artworks were sealed under protective glass and set inside carved giltwood, pinchbeck, or precious metal frames.

Authentic period pieces exhibit period-accurate clothing, hair styling, and technique, such as delicate hatching or stippling. Inspection under magnification usually reveals hand-applied strokes rather than modern dot-matrix printing, along with appropriate age-related oxidation on gilt frames.

These small artworks function well within a gallery wall composed of mixed media and varied frame sizes. They can also be displayed on a dark bookshelf ledge, resting against books, or placed inside a glazed display cabinet to draw close interest.

Keep miniature portraits away from direct sunlight, excess humidity, and extreme temperature fluctuations to prevent fading and warping. Clean frames gently with a dry microfibre cloth and avoid using liquid cleaners or water directly near the glass seals.

Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors

A Fine Portrait Miniature of a Lady by James Ferguson (Scottish 1710 -1776)

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