Ambrotype of a woman standing beside a chair draped with clothing. (New South Wales?), c.1863.

A$1,100 · Offered by Douglas Stewart Fine Books

Sixth plate ambrotype with applied colour, 70 x 60 mm (sight); in fine condition, in the original large oval brass mat, housed in the original leather case with simple geometric design (working brass clasp); inserted in the case is a lock of the sitter s beautiful auburn hair contained in an envelope which is inscribed in a nineteenth-century hand Given to me in the beginning 1863 by my O.D.N’, and signed with monogram ‘A.A. (?) . Provenance: Acquired by the previous owner from Archer s Auctions, Katoomba, 24 April 1993, lot 470 (ex Estate of J. Morlock, Leura, New South Wales). We are confident that this humble ambrotype was taken in a colonial studio, due to the informal (careless, almost) studio set-up, with its simple canvas backdrop, and the very plain leather case; quite possibly, the sitter is an ancestor of Leura resident J. Morlock.

  • Binding: Hardcover

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