Miniature Portrait Painting Mourning Brooch Named Sitter Scottish C 1852

We are excited to offer both our miniature portrait collectors and our antique jewellery collectors this fine quality item. We see a very fine portrait of a distinguished lady encased in a glazed, yellow metal brooch frame with old label with sitter's details to reverse. The sitter is Mary Forlong (born Mary Fleming) wife of William Forlong of Wellshot House in Cambuslang, 4 miles from Glasgow, Scotland.

This tiny portrait was masterfully hand painted to depict Mary in side profile. We love her fancy blue ribboned bonnet, ringleted hair, Vandyked lace neck ruff, black dress and pink woven shawl with paisley border all pointing to earlier 1830s fashion. The brooch is typical of the period with its foliate design and tube hinge with C clasp. This was a cherished keepsake of the Forlong family as the condition is excellent. We believe that this tiny portrait was painted as a mourning piece after Mary's death in 1852. As it is sooo rare for portraits of this TINY size to painted in profile. This points to this tiny portrait being copied from an earlier miniature portrait on paper. The family must have owned an 1830s portrait miniature in profile of Mary - these were often painted in profile, housed in black papier mache frames. Good portrait miniature artists would offer this service to copy an earlier portrait, or copy it in reduced size for a ring, or brooch so that extra family members could have a memento.

We have uncovered some background information regarding the Forlong family which is a great bonus to have alongside this gorgeous portrait. See below

Size: Brooch Height 1 1/2 inch (4 cm ) by 1 5/16 inch (3.3 cm). Actual portrait approx 1 3/16 inch (3 cm) by 15/16 of an inch (2.2 cm). Weight: 0.05 oz or 0.012g

Condition: The condition is very good. Minor dust deposits trapped under the flat glass. A couple of pinhead sized abrasions to the glass. A small bend to the tip of the securing pin.

Family Background

William Forlong was born January 22, 1762 and died around 1825 in Scotland. Born at Wellshott, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was therefore known as William ‘Wellshot’ Forlong, of Wellshot House, Cambuslang, Lanarkshire. He was the son of James Forlong and Janet (nee Boyle). William was a Wine Merchant possible Spirit Dealer of Gallowgate, Glasgow, Shop No 21. William married Mary Maria Fleming who was born in June 1766 at Kelvinbank, Glasgow , she died Oct 1852 Greater London, Middlessex. William and Mary had 13 children.

Item id:16238