Inlaid Bone Frame Appraisal

Oval Miniature Portrait Portrait of a Gentleman in an Inlaid Bone Frame

This item is an oval miniature portrait of a dark-haired gentleman featuring a thin mustache and wearing a deep burgundy or purple velvet-style garment with a white collar. The painting is likely executed in gouache or oil on a thin support such as ivory, vellum, or card, common for the 19th-century revival style. The central portrait is encased in an ornate, thin brass or gilt-metal filigree bezel which showcases fine repetitive floral or geometric patterns. The outer frame, measuring approximately 6x7 inches, is rectangular and meticulously constructed with an inlay of rectangular bone or cream-colored bovine tiles. The border of the frame features a thin strip of iridescent mother-of-pearl or abalone inlay, adding a luminous quality. The construction is indicative of late 19th to early 20th-century craftsmanship, specifically those often produced in continental Europe (France or Germany). The condition appears fair to good; there is visible cracking and separation between the bone tiles at the bottom center of the frame, and some yellowing of the adhesive or organic material is evident. The portrait itself shows minor surface dust and potential fading, though the pigments remain rich. The mention of a faded signature on the back would further help in identifying the specific artist, likely a professional miniaturist of the Victorian era.