Georgian eye miniature

A brooding and evocative Georgian eye miniature, circa 1810, attributed to Engleheart. The gold eye shaped brooch encloses a watercolour miniature of an eye with blue iris with a dark curl and in dark, swirling clouds, symbolic of mourning.  The eye is under crystal and within a surround of royal blue enamel and black dot paste. To reverse an old trade label inscribed John Engleheart, stylistically I think possibly by the hand of John Cox Dillman Engleheart [1784 -1862]. Eye miniatures were an intense manifestation of an already emotionally charged art, apparently an attempt to capture ‘the window to the soul’, the supposed reflection of a person’s most intimate thoughts and feelings. Some eye miniatures were expressions of love and some, like this, were expressions of love and loss. The brooch measures 1 and 3/4 inches by 1 and 1/8 inches. Such an evocative piece, with confident handling of the paint, strong colouring and meticulous draughtsmanship. In original fitted case and immaculate.

sold

Ivory exemption ref : GW446S6Z
Item ref : 4504