Lot 432:
Antique Silver Gelatin Studio Portrait of Four Children in an Ornate Gesso Frame
Sold for: $10
Description
This lot features a framed studio portrait, likely a silver gelatin print, depicting four children in formal attire characteristic of the late 19th to early 20th century. The group consists of two boys and two girls. The boys are dressed in collared shirts with bow ties and waistcoats or suspenders, while the girls wear white dresses. The photograph is housed in a wide, ornate frame constructed of gesso over wood, featuring a repeating scale or feather-like motif and decorative foliate scrolls at the corners. The frame has an off-white painted finish. The reverse side of the frame is secured with a solid wood backing board and includes a wire hanging mount. A small, fragmentary piece of newspaper is adhered to the lower right corner of the backing board, with the legible text Daily News and Monday, Nov. No photographer’s studio mark or artist signature is visible on the front or back of the piece.
Condition report:
The ornate gesso frame shows several visible cracks and small losses to the molded details, particularly along the edges and corners. The painted surface exhibits minor wear and localized discoloration consistent with age. The photograph shows light fading and silver mirroring along the peripheral edges of the image. The glass cover has some surface dust and reflections.
Share this lot:
