Moody, Much Tarnished Half Plate Daguerreotype Portrait of Woman with Ringlets bearded and as perfect little pedestals

and as perfect little pedestals for displaying other little things

lacquered papier mache

clearly Victorian era

Just a charming little friend

to serve as a succinct reminder to take caution when going out in the world

Moody, Much Tarnished Half Plate Daguerreotype Portrait of Woman with Ringlets bearded and as perfect little pedestalsIt's not too often I come across a half plate daguerreotype 4 1 4" x 5 1 2" this one much tarnished, not surprisingly as it was clearly never cased. I like it for the color including deep browns and blues too, best seen in details and surface of gestural smudges and scratches, which together have the effect of making this young woman, already rather determined looking, feel as if willing herself into existence stubbornly resisting disappearing