Crown of Flowers

SHE WAS THE BRIDE! This young woman’s pose appeared so causal However, I feel certain that the masterful daguerreotypist carefully correographed her entire tableau. He also might have arranged her clothing before stepping behind the camera; coaxing her to lean slightly to the left while calmly suggesting that she lift her gorgeous face upwards, before he uncapped the brass lens for the moment of truth. The results were spectacular! Dreamily directed lighting bathed her supple flesh while highlighting her glossy dark hair pulled tightly behind her head! Columns of coiled curls exploded downwards over her bare shoulders. Each pleat and fold of her dark dress and the delicate black lace undersleeves were clearly defined. Her sumptuous dark eyes peered towards the camera. She was totally relaxed. Her coquettish expression cajoled the viewer to examine her closer. The perfection that the daguerreotypist created made it ever so easy. The gal?s flesh tones, so exquisitely tinted, gave her the appearance even 170 years after she was taken, of a living person ready to engage anyone in an intelligent conversation. The archivally sealed quarter plate framed the teenager inside an early oval brass mat. That dark ribbon of fabric around her lovely neck was clasped together by a delicate gold painted piece of jewelry. Those two rings were also touched with gold along with an ornate bracelet worn over white lace that surounded her lower arm. The exquisite crown of roses on her head and her small nosegay bouquet received multi-colored pigments vividly adding realism to her masterpiece placed on this holographic mirror. Even the table cloth was embellished with two shades of blue. I feel certain that the striking self-confident lass was recently married! (Remember that most women did not wear white gowns on their wedding day during the 1840s). She would have commissioned a professional operator who had a large luxurious studio in a substantial city to execute her formal wedding portrait. The technical aspects of this likeness defy accurate interpretation, aside from my realization that the art of daguerreotypy simply could not have been taken to a higher plane of perfection! The beautiful belle displayed elegance and intelligence that might not be rivaled again! The condition of this resealed plate is superlative! Gorgeous natural patina vignetted the man?s patron on three sides while the area around the table remained unaffected. An early SCOVILLS impression was on the heavy plate that had been cut down slightly on the sides. The original whole leather case displays a popular geometric design from 1845. The rich, burgundy silk pad inside is mint.