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Sponsored content: What's It Worth? The historical appeal of portrait miniatures

 
Published Oct. 25, 2018

Because of the great response we received on the Hindu Indian miniature painting, we decided to do a follow-up.

This week, we bought four wonderful miniature paintings. The first (left), on porcelain and signed GF or FG, appears to depict a Hungarian woman in traditional garb. This type is usually inexpensive and valued at around $15 to $100.

We also bought a terrific – if not mysterious – portrait miniature by the famous New Orleans artist Aimable-Desire Lansot. The subject in the painting (second from left) is typical of Lansot's customer – someone of high society or great wealth – but we can't identify her. She appears to be Spanish or perhaps Cajun, but we are not certain. Other clues include a family crest on the back (pictured).

Plus, we bought a 1700s-era miniature (right) from a Texas estate that seems to depict a member of the Austro-Hungarian military or royalty.

For the three to the right we paid $300 to $800 each and are hoping for a 20-30 percent profit.

If you have a miniature portrait painting, please give us a call. You have seen us in Forbes Magazine, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. All rights reserved.