Photograph (Collodion Positive on Glass) of a Woman, in Tortoiseshell Mount, 1850s or 1860s

Collodion positive on glass (ambrotype), enclosed. Portrait of a woman, seated three-quarter length, facing front, her left elbow resting on a table and her head resting on her hand. Extensively hand coloured, but largely faded except for the gold. Enclosed beneath an unusual multi-layered mat with deep oval aperture, the top layer being imitation tortoiseshell; old discoloured card and paper backing, probably original, with protruding nails. The enclosure has been neatly repaired with passe-partout binding; originally it perhaps had a frame and was hung.