Well maintained ambrotype in leather frame

Height 7 cm. Width 6.5 cm.

Extremely well-preserved ambrotype from the mid-19th century. Ambrotype is one of the first forms of photography, made on glass plates coated with collodion and later dipped in silver nitrate. They are very light-sensitive, hence the frame that closes like a book. We have never seen such a well-preserved ambrotype before. The technique was patented by James Ambrose Cutting in 1854.

The frame has an older repair on the back but is otherwise in very good condition with a gilded front and embossed velour on the opposite side.