French Hussar
SOLD September 2006 |
Quarter plate French daguerreotype of a Hussar in uniform with sword and hat, ca. 1840s, with applied hand-coloring in blue. Housed behind bubble glass in a period oval black-lacquered frame, overall dimensions of frame 6 x 5 inches (15x13 cm). With a partial identifying label originally found attached to reverse of frame.
While the framing of this piece is ambiguous as to period, the style of the daguerreotype itself would point to the 1840s as the most likely timeframe. A partial note found attached to the reverse is probably later, it is missing a portion at left and appears to read:
....d Philippe Yves Lapointe
....862). Capitaine des Hussar
...t au service de sa
...rie, le 5-12-1862.
I have been informed by an expert that while Lapointe's uniform is undoubtedly that of a French Hussar, it lacks the insignia of a captain or other officer, and moreover its style dates it prior to 1861. Therefore, it seems that the inscription is indeed later than the daguerreotype, and refers to a rank Lapointe held later in his career. As an educated guess at the full inscription, I would complete it as:
[....]d Philippe Yves Lapointe
[(18??-1]862). Capitaine des Hussar
[mor]t au service de sa
[pat]rie, le 5-12-1862.
That is, "[...]d Philippe Yves Lapointe (18??-1862). Captain of the Hussars, died in the service [ie, in the Army or Navy] of his country, the 5th of December 1862". The plate has a few abrasions and some small emulsion chips at edges, otherwise excellent.
