RARE c.1700s French Portrait Miniature of a Boy, Child, 18k Gold Frame Locket Back, Mourning w Hair Art
Such a beautiful little blond boy, c.1770s, give or take 10 years, with his tousled blond hair and his wide beautiful blue eyes. Likely a last glimpse for his mama and papa. He looks to be only about 2 or 3 years old. Innocently yet importantly, he holds a little French lily which is significant as the Fleur de Lys, letting us know his allegiance (or rather that of his family) is Royalist. The other things we know from this elegant 18k gold locket frame is that he was a Noble, perhaps a Royal. And last, we know he didn't grow up. This is a mourning icon, made clear by the light blond lock of his hair entombed under thick polished rock crystal and mounted in gold with a carved surround of onyx - black for mourning. Alas, as is usual, we have no identity for him, and I find no artist's signature. I have no way to open this one, which leaves the possibility of some sort of ID still to be found within. Were he and his family lost to The Terror, or did he fall ill or childhood diseases we n