What is antique miniature art?

Antique miniature art refers to small-scale paintings, silhouettes, and framed works created during the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. These pieces were collected as personal portraits, keepsakes, and decorative items before photography became common.

How were portrait miniatures displayed?

Makers housed portrait miniatures in small gilt frames, pendant settings made of gold or brass, and hinged leather cases. Owners often wore them as jewellery or displayed them on small tabletops using specialised miniature easels.

What materials did artists use?

Artists worked with watercolour, ink, paint, and enamel applied to paper, card, glass, and thin slices of ivory. Silhouettes relied on black cut paper, sometimes accented with gold leaf and delicate brushwork.

How do I care for miniatures?

Keep fragile miniatures away from direct sunlight to prevent the watercolour pigments and paper from fading over time. Maintain stable indoor humidity levels to protect the delicate wooden frames and organic materials like ivory.

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Antique Miniature Art

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Antique miniature art encompasses delicate portrait miniatures, silhouettes and painted framed works spanning the Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods.

19th century

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Anglo-indian Portrait of Capt Claridge

From Wigs on the Green

£740

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

After Jean-baptiste Van Loo - Portrait of Jeanne-agnes Berthelot De Pleneuf - Marquise De Prie

19th century

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After Jean-baptiste Van Loo - Portrait of Jeanne-agnes Berthelot De Pleneuf - Marquise De Prie

From Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors

£490

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

19th century

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Frederick Buck Portrait Miniature

From Wigs on the Green

£625

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

Pair of Mid 19thc Miniature Bronze Figures of ‘Le Baiser Donne’ & ‘Le Baiser Rendu’ After Jean Antoine Houdon (1741-1828)

19th century

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Pair of Mid 19thc Miniature Bronze Figures of ‘Le Baiser Donne’ & ‘Le Baiser Rendu’ After Jean Antoine Houdon (1741-1828)

From LVS Decorative Arts

£3,250

3+ MONTHS AGO

sculptures

19th century

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Antique Framed Dress

From Nikki Page Antiques

£1,100

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

18th century

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Georgian Pine Doll’s Cradle Crib C1830

From Shaun King Antiques

£285

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

Miniature Victorian Portrait Painting Oval Watercolour & Pastel X2 Paintings!

19th century

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Miniature Victorian Portrait Painting Oval Watercolour & Pastel X2 Paintings!

From Artsonline

£249

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

18th century

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British School Mid 18th Century Oval Portrait Miniature of a Lady in an Ebonised Frame

From Gill Coe Antiques & Interiors

£270

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

Sir Walter Scott Miniature Portrait Painting Antique Circa 1900 Hogarth Framed

1900 - 1920

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Sir Walter Scott Miniature Portrait Painting Antique Circa 1900 Hogarth Framed

From Artsonline

£245

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

Model Ship Diorama Within a Bottle on a Wooden Plinth Circa 1920

1900 - 1920

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Model Ship Diorama Within a Bottle on a Wooden Plinth Circa 1920

From Robert Belcher Antiques

£375

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

Current listings feature works spanning the Georgian, Regency, Victorian, and Art Deco periods, created using watercolour, paper, glass, and gold leaf.

Antique 18thc French Portrait Miniature Woman Signed Dumont Seed Pearlgilt Frame

18th century

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Antique 18thc French Portrait Miniature Woman Signed Dumont Seed Pearlgilt Frame

From Bushells Antiques

£6,500

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

6 Pre-raphaelite Portraits Mounted in an Oak Shelf

19th century

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6 Pre-raphaelite Portraits Mounted in an Oak Shelf

From Elmgarden

£400

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

A Three Mast Early 19th Century Model Sailing Ship in a Bottle

1920 - 1940

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A Three Mast Early 19th Century Model Sailing Ship in a Bottle

From Robert Belcher Antiques

£475

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

Small Antique Egyptian Sarcophagus Pharaoh Enamelled Propelling Pencil Pendant

1900 - 1920

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Small Antique Egyptian Sarcophagus Pharaoh Enamelled Propelling Pencil Pendant

From Corvidae Antique

£215

3+ MONTHS AGO

jewellery

Miniature Welsh Carved Slate Folk Art Model of Chest of Drawers

19th century

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Miniature Welsh Carved Slate Folk Art Model of Chest of Drawers

From Havard and Havard

£595

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

Fine Plumbago Portrait by John Taylor, Circa 1770

18th century

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Fine Plumbago Portrait by John Taylor, Circa 1770

From Wigs on the Green

£600

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

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Antique Miniature Art

Anglo-indian Portrait of Capt Claridge

After Jean-baptiste Van Loo - Portrait of Jeanne-agnes Berthelot De Pleneuf - Marquise De Prie

Frederick Buck Portrait Miniature

Pair of Mid 19thc Miniature Bronze Figures of ‘Le Baiser Donne’ & ‘Le Baiser Rendu’ After Jean Antoine Houdon (1741-1828)

Antique Framed Dress

Georgian Pine Doll’s Cradle Crib C1830

Miniature Victorian Portrait Painting Oval Watercolour & Pastel X2 Paintings!

British School Mid 18th Century Oval Portrait Miniature of a Lady in an Ebonised Frame

Sir Walter Scott Miniature Portrait Painting Antique Circa 1900 Hogarth Framed

Model Ship Diorama Within a Bottle on a Wooden Plinth Circa 1920

Antique 18thc French Portrait Miniature Woman Signed Dumont Seed Pearlgilt Frame

6 Pre-raphaelite Portraits Mounted in an Oak Shelf

A Three Mast Early 19th Century Model Sailing Ship in a Bottle

Small Antique Egyptian Sarcophagus Pharaoh Enamelled Propelling Pencil Pendant

Miniature Welsh Carved Slate Folk Art Model of Chest of Drawers

Fine Plumbago Portrait by John Taylor, Circa 1770

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