Georgian lover’s eye

A Georgian lover’s eye miniature set to a high carat gold brooch with Rococo floral and shell decoration, circa 1800. Eye miniatures were a curious anomaly in miniature painting which became fashionable at the end of the 18th century. They were an extremely intense manifestation of an already emotionally charged art, apparently an attempt to capture ‘the window of the soul’, the supposed reflection of a person’s most intimate thoughts and feelings. The depiction of a single eye meant the identity of the sitter remained a mystery, a secret shared between donor and recipient. This is a watercolour miniature of a young female eye with brown iris, her dark hair artfully arranged in a curl on her rouged cheek. She addresses the viewer with a direct gaze. There is a locket compartment with woven hair to reverse. The brooch measures 1 and 1/8 inches by one inch. Very finely executed portrait miniature, immaculate condition.

£7000
Ivory exemption ref : CWHY2A4G
Item ref : 0305