Antique c.1740-50s HP Portrait Miniature of a Beautiful Woman, Ukraine Estate, Ottoman Empire
Buying antiques out of Russia is problematic. I have a grouping of 3 from a family, sold out of Ukraine, that span nearly a century. This is the first, and the earliest of those (offering/selling separate). In her time, it was known as a Cossack Republic, though boundaries moved and changed. The Ottoman Empire, Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Austria-Hungary and Russia, all claimed and covered the Ukraine over time. I do not have a name for this woman, but her style of clothing, hair, and the needlework monogram which once backed the image all indicate c.1740-50s. Her small oval brass frame, original beveled cover glass and the embroidery attached to the backing of this frame are original to that date. The larger oval wooden frame and silk velvet mat are a much later, possibly c.1900, modification, and matches the other portraits from the same estate. I can't link them as family, but it seems possible they were. Still, we'll offer them separately. Measurements are noted on the photos.