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June, 2017 The Antique Shoppe Page 33
THE ANTIQUE DETECTIVE

By Anne GilBert BKG
Antique Mall

PortrAit MiniAtures not AlwAys whAt they seeM Come in and see all our
Antiques & Collectibles
Open 7 Days A Week - Call For Hours
••••
WE MAKE THE PAST A
PERFECT PRESENT!
Vendor Display Cases
Available for Rent!
32 Dixie Highway
Lake Worth, FL 33466
(561)533-7707 Fax (561)533-7578
janetdesigns@gmail.com

STUART BUY SELL TRADE
Palm Antique Mall
2591 SE Ocean Blvd.
Stuart, FL 34996
oldteaks@bellsouth.net
Why should you be surprised to learn that many of those tiny, charming 991 Ocean Blvd 772-463-5090 • 772-240-0894
miniature portraits , seen at every antiques show, are fakes ? It’s hard to Palm Bch Rd Monterey Rd ALWAYS BUYING
resist owning what could be a rare portrait of a royal personage. While
currently prices are down for all but portraits with definite artist or person
attributions, many still slip through the vetting process. After all, what 714
seller would let you remove the paper backing, that itself looks ancient SE Federal Hwy
And the painting looks to be on enamel, which was typical. Collectors 713
find them fascinating for the historical details from hair style to clothing
and jewelry. And, knowing who the subject was. Could that be Marie I95
Antoinette? 76
Prices depend on the artist and the importance of the subject. A good
example was a miniature portrait of George Washington by John Ramage
that sold at a Christies auction in 2001 for $1,216,00. More recently a
pair of miniature portraits of American Revolutionary War figures fetched
$4,994.00. Lesser or unknown portrait miniatures are currently selling for
as little as $125.00.
Historically, some of the finest were done by well known artists of the
day and on enamel. Actually portraits of royalty are relatively common.
They were especially popular as love tokens, when of beautiful women.
Credit German artist Hans Holbein with the development of the portrait
miniature. He began using water colors on vellum from 1532 till his death
in 1543.
Until the 18th century miniatures were painted with water colors on
vellum. Their true beauty was brought out in the early 1700s when water
colors were used on ivory. However, considered to be the finest results
were achieved by the mid 18th century when painting were done over
am enamel process. Hence the term, Portrait miniature enamels.
In America portrait miniatures became the vogue by the mid 18th
century. Famed artists such as John Copley and Charles Wilson Peale.
Their subjects weren’t royalty but statesmen, military heroes, merchants The Original
and their wives. Copley’s miniatures were done on copper, ivory and wood. CLARK’S
Examples can be seen at Colonial Williamsburg and other museums.
The style of portrait miniatures changed in the early 19th century in
America, England and Europe. Darker, more opaque colors were used. A National Directory of
With the introduction of photography portrait miniatures went out of Flea Markets & Swap Meets
fashion. ( ) Single Copy (Current Edition) $10 + $5 Postage & Handling
CLUES: Many of the portrait miniatures that have been turning up for ( ) One Year Subscription (2 issues per yr.- to begin with Current Edition) $25
decades are actually decals mounted on porcelain. Before buying use a Fla Residents add 7.5% Sales Tax or Copy of Sales Tax Certificate
jewelers loupe or strong magnifying glass. Often the faker will have taken WHOLESALE PRICES- Clark’s Pays Shipping on Wholesale Orders
the trouble to add hand-painted details that will be raised and lead the Minimum Order: 6, 12, 25, 50, 100 Copies @ $6 ea.
buyer to believe the entire portrait has been hand painted. Another clue PAY MY ORDER BY ( )Check • ( )Credit Card • ( )Debit Card
is the backing of aged and dated paper glued to the back. Mail to: The Original Clark’s Flea Market U.S.A.
SHOWN: Two revolutionary War figures miniatures; Skinners Auctions, Marlboro , MA 2345 Pompano Street, Cantonment, FL 32533
Email: sondrajane@yahoo.com / PH: 850-791-2831