{"product_id":"victorian-cased-ambrotype-woman-child-1855-1865","title":"Mid-19th Century Cased Ambrotype Portrait of a Woman \u0026 Child | E. Renard Artiste | Circa 1855 – 1865","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Likely North America or Europe\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Collodion photographic image on glass, gilt brass mat, embossed leather-covered case, velvet lining, and metal fittings\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mid-19th Century, circa 1855–1865\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn evocative mid-19th-century cased photographic portrait depicting an adult woman seated beside a young child, likely members of the same family. Both subjects face the camera directly, with the woman dressed in a dark period gown with a broad pale collar and the child wearing a patterned dress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe image is housed behind an oval opening within a richly gilt brass presentation mat, surrounded by a muted red or rose-coloured textile liner. The opposite interior panel is covered in deep green embossed velvet with an elaborate symmetrical foliate and scroll pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eParticularly noteworthy are the surviving markings associated with the photograph. The gilt mat bears an impressed stamp reading “E. RENARD \/ ARTISTE.” A second, considerably fainter impressed marking appears to begin “GUERIN…”, although the remaining lettering is presently too indistinct for a secure transcription. Research has not produced sufficient evidence to confidently identify E. Renard or the secondary mark with a particular photographic studio, and they are therefore preserved in the description exactly as observed rather than attributed speculatively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe exterior case is equally decorative, formed with deeply embossed floral and scroll ornament surrounding a central floral composition and finished with a narrow gilt ornamental border. Two small metal closures remain along the opening edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMost significantly, an old red-bordered handwritten identification label remains affixed to the exterior of the case. After close examination, the inscription appears to read approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e“Grandmother + mother when 8 years old”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe surviving wording strongly suggests that the label was added by a family member to identify the sitters. The label adds an unusually personal layer of family history to an already compelling early photographic object.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e- Most consistent with a quarter-plate ambrotype\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Depicts an adult woman and young child\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Gilt brass oval presentation mat\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Mat impressed “E. RENARD \/ ARTISTE”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Additional partially legible impressed mark beginning “GUERIN…”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Deep green embossed velvet interior panel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Dark embossed exterior case with floral and foliate decoration\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Fine gilt ornamental border surrounding the exterior\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Retains original-style metal closures and hardware\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Rare surviving handwritten family identification label\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Label appears to reference “Grandmother + mother when 8 years old”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmbrotypes occupy an important transitional position in the history of photography. Introduced during the early 1850s, they provided a faster and less expensive alternative to the daguerreotype while still producing a unique direct-positive portrait. Their affordability helped make professionally produced photographic likenesses available to a much broader section of society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCased photographs were deeply personal objects, frequently preserved within families as records of parents, children, spouses, and relatives. Surviving examples retaining old handwritten identifications are particularly evocative because they connect the otherwise anonymous faces with evidence of how later generations understood and remembered them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGood antique condition consistent with approximately 160–170 years of age. The case displays expected surface rubbing, edge wear, small losses, abrasions, and deterioration to portions of the gilt decoration. The handwritten identification label shows substantial age toning, fading, staining, and surface wear but remains partially legible. The photograph itself exhibits age-related spotting and surface marks visible in the images. Interior velvet shows expected wear and compression. Metal fittings and closures exhibit age-related oxidation and patination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 4.75 in\u003cbr\u003e\nWidth: 3.75 in\u003cbr\u003e\nDepth: 0.75 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e160–170 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFormerly held in a private collection in Massachusetts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSubsequently handled by White’s Auctions, Middleborough, Massachusetts. Established in 1993, White’s Auctions is an independent, privately owned Massachusetts auction house specializing in antiques, fine art, decorative arts, and historical material. The firm conducts catalogued estate and collection sales and has served collectors, dealers, galleries, and consignors for more than three decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover the history and photographic process of the ambrotype through \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.moma.org\/collection\/terms\/ambrotype\" title=\"Ambrotype – The Museum of Modern Art\"\u003eThe Museum of Modern Art\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore our \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/victorian-artifacts-historic-relics\" title=\"Explore Victorian Artifacts \u0026amp; Historic Relics at Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\"\u003eCollection of Victorian Artifacts \u0026amp; Historic Relics\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56196305682754,"sku":null,"price":500.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/First_photo_design_-_2026-09-18T225808.556.jpg?v=1789786723","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/fr\/products\/victorian-cased-ambrotype-woman-child-1855-1865","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}