Interesting find - Miniature Handpainted Portrait

[Omega Entity]

Hi all! I have an interesting piece for you all to check out. My sister found this at an estate sale, and she's wondering if it's something that she should look into having professionally appraised. She suspects it's an early Ingres judging by the signature, but she's just not sure.

[Mat]

Hi, the signature reads "Legras", not Ingres. What you have is a French miniature painting, likely after a bigger painting,and I guess it is painted on Ivory. Date should be early 20th century. The quality is quite good. When you search for "Legras miniature portrait", you will find comparable ones. There is one on ebay labeled as "ox bone" right now, but IMO the price is too high, at least for where I live... And, depending on where you live, have in mind that it is not allowed to sell ivory in some places...

[mart]

Mat,, look at the edge,, I think this is a print on paper,, appears to have a card/paper type backing !!  Or do you see something I do not ??

[Mat]

Mart, I am not sure about the material it is painted on, but from the photos it appears to be hand painted, as far as I can see?

[mart]

https://www.google.com/search?q=princess+de+lamballe+miniature+lithograph&rlz=1C1SKPC_enUS366US455&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=709&tbm=isch&imgil=dmzBccVR0NajmM%253A%253Bv7oqltazIxRhiM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Frodama1789.blogspot.com%25252F2014%25252F10%25252Fportraits-of-princesse-de-lamballe.html&source=iu&pf=m&fir=dmzBccVR0NajmM%253A%252Cv7oqltazIxRhiM%252C_&usg=__XfFf45sEwhO6Sji_rEOAqGxMvXk%3D&ved=0ahUKEwjQua-x9bfRAhVoslQKHaGKBnUQyjcIKw&ei=-gB1WNDUFOjk0gKhlZqoBw#imgrc=dmzBccVR0NajmM%3A

Evidently she was quite popular !!

[Rauville]

Evidently she was quite popular !!

Unfortunately, She came to a tragic and sad end. Revolutions seem to have that effect on some people.

[KC]

The first question to be answered is what is the picture painted on?  Is it solid (such as bone or ivory)?  Is it paper?  Once we get that answer then we can start to surmise further origins/value.

I am not sure what some of the photos are showing. 
I agree that photos #1,2 & 3 look as if they have a unpainted and torn paper? or cardboard? edge on it.
On photo #4 it appears as if this is embroidery/tapestry material?

[Omega Entity]

I'm not sure of the front surface, but the back of it under the brocade (with the lettering) is leather. I'll have to confer with my sister to find out if the leather is mounted on the back of another material.

[mart]

I can see a texture behind the bust,, may be a litho on leather !!  But the texture appears to be a bit too regular for leather !!  And its exactly the same over all !!

[Omega Entity]

Just got a reply from her - ivory wafer. Someone did apparently try to mount the leather to posterboard, then later tried to remount the ivory wafer that is painted on to the board, and did a pretty fail job of it, haha.

[mart]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-7-5-Portrait-Miniature-ID-d-Princesse-de-Lamballe-Gilt-Bronze-Frame-/322361559848


Ah,,Ha !!  So thats the reason for the confusion !!  Poor re-mount efforts !!  They just didn`t know when to leave well enough alone !!

The one above has many elements similar to this one !!  Even the back where the name is looks similar !! But different artists !! Even the hair is done the same !!

Do not take that asking price seriously !!  These little miniatures are pretty common !!  You can find them for many historical European figures !!

[Omega Entity]

Hah! Indeed. In any case, at least we know it's a Legras and not an Ingres. Still not a bad find for a 50-cent estate sale find!

[mart]

No kidding ??  $.50 ??  I would say you did quite well !!  Retirement may not be in your future but should make a few dollars on it !!  If you can re-do the frame and put it back together !!

[Omega Entity]

Well, my sister did anyway. She's very happy to know more about it. Thank you everyone!

[Mat]

Here is another one of another lady by the same artist... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/19TH-CENTURY-FRENCH-HAND-PAINTED-MINIATURE-IN-GILT-BRONZE-FRAME-SIGNED-LEGRAS-/111659727699