This is a very early and rare Museum Quality Georgian hand painted portrait miniature of a girl child with a bird which appears to be a parrot or raven or crow and is framed in a 14 Karat Gold Frame. 

The portrait miniature is of the highest quality.  The face of the child is exquisite with its blond hair.  The child wears a necklace and a red dress with white polka-dots with a white lace collar.  The chair has wonderful details.  On the edge of the chair is the signature of Paolo di Mejilla (last name may not be correct).  Within the black bodice of the dress are the words painted "Napoleon Meur". 

The rarity of the miniature is enhanced by the addition of the bird or parrot or raven on the stand.   Finding miniatures with children and animals is very rare and these are highly coveted.  The painting is from a very fine collection of early portrait miniatures that depict animals in the scene. 

The frame is 14 Karat Gold.  The miniature could be made into a pendant with the addition of a bale.  Finding a miniature painting with such beautiful imagery of the bird and child is exceedingly rare and makes the jewel a highly regarded piece.

This is a very early jewel - most likely dating to the 18th Century to early 19th Century.   
The jewel is worthy of the antique jewelry collections in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.  

The portrait is 2 5/8 inches (6.5 cm) in diameter.
There is a crease on the left side of the portrait.  This is not within the painted image of the child.
There is some dust on the interior of the glass frame.
The frame is 14 Karat Gold.  The backing is a mixed metal.

This auction is only for the Portrait Miniature of the child and bird - we do have the other miniatures available in other listings.  Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

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