American Post-Mortem
SOLD April 2010 |
Sixth plate post mortem daguerreotype of mother and child, anonymous American circa 1855. With applied color in pink and gilt. Housed in a full case with divided spine.
A moving image in which the mother holds one clenched hand below her breast and bends slightly as if bowed by grief. Hand coloring in pink has been applied to her cheeks and gilt to her jewelry. The deceased infant before her holds a single flower that resembles a carnation in its hand, this flower and the child's cheeks have also been colored in pink.
Image in excellent condition with some scattered irregular tarnish.
The period case is constructed with wooden rails and front and back panels of a hard pressed substance somewhat softer than thermoplastic.
