How should I hang these watercolours?

Keep them away from direct sunlight to prevent the delicate pigments and paper from fading over time. Position them on interior walls where humidity and temperature remain stable.

Are these portraits always signed?

Many fine examples from the British and regional schools remain unsigned or bear only faint initials from the artist. Attribution often relies on stylistic comparison, old inscriptions on the reverse, or historical records.

What frames are original?

Eighteenth and nineteenth-century pieces typically utilise ebonised timber, simple moulded wood, or gilt metal frames fitted with old glass. Frames with minor signs of age usually indicate a long association with the artwork inside.

How do miniatures differ from standard portraits?

Miniatures are executed on a much smaller scale, often designed to be held in the hand or worn as personal mementoes. Standard framed watercolours are scaled for display on walls as part of a room's interior arrangement.