Wealthy Family
SOLD October 2000 |
Full-plate Cuttings-patent ambrotype of a family of four, anonymous American, 1850s-60s.
Few families chose to commemorate themselves in the relatively massive and expensive format of a whole plate "hard" image during the 19th century - and fewer still were able to adopt an interesting pose while doing so. This ambrotype evinces an added level of refinement (and expense) in that it was produced using the relatively difficult Cuttings-patent process, in which the initial collodion-emulsion image constituting most ambrotypes is sealed between two pieces of glass using a balsam binder. The Cuttings patent process produces a rich, crisp image which in the present case has been enhanced with red tinting and gilt before assembly.
The image has been reblacked on the reverse and sealed with modern cover glass and the original brass mat. No brass "protector" is present around the mat: many 19th century whole plate images were originally mounted in wall frames rather than the typical daguerreian-era case. Brass mat has stains and abrasions.
