DaLee Portrait Miniature 

Likely New York or Massachusetts, ca. 1835-1845, watercolor on paper in its original ornamented daguerreotype case.

Attributed to Justus DaLee or another member of the DaLee family that were known as “Side Painters”. This portrait shows a woman in typical fashion and hair-styling of the day, with black dress, over-the-shoulder lace, and a large belt buckle. The daguerreotype casing shows the overlap of portraits-by-hand and the emergence of photography.

Case when close about 3 ¾ inches x 3 1/4. (the two sides of the case held by a clasp that can be separated).