Quarter Plate

HELEN OF TROY! Or might the woman be Imogen the virtuous wife of the exiled Posthumus Leonatus? A beautiful resealed quarter plate rendering of a mythological figure shown holding a letter from Leonatus. Stamped in the lower left corner of the thick double elliptical brass mat was “Ives”, most likely Loyal M. Ives who operated a daguerreian gallery in Boston circa 1847-1852 at 142 Washington St., a few doors away from Lorenzo Chase at 257 and later 247 Washington St. (who reportedly was his partner from 1844-1846) during this later period. Casey rebuilt the intact leather push button case by manufacturing two case rails out of balsa wood. He did not cover them with leather. My scan accurately displays the ancient patina around the slightly mysterious, gorgeous young woman. Ives obtained incredible contrast and sparkling depth on his perfectly prepared silver surface!