Pair of ninth-plate hand-tinted English ambrotypes of what we assume are sisters. One of the girls is either a postmortem or near death. We have examined this piece under magnification and while in our opinion it is rare to have a postmortem posed this way, it may very well meet the criteria. In the image, the girl\u2019s eyes are shut and if you look at her exposed hand it is extremely rigid. She has a growth under her nose that might help identify her illness. The photographer has gone to great lengths to coat her lips in red whereas her sister\u2019s portrait has as professional tinting as you will see. Both images have an over-tint in the black areas that enhance the dimensional qualities.\u00a0
In the other image, the sister with the ringlets has a fabulous smile. The tinting on her plate is divine, with her green leather gloves and a light blue green tie. Flesh tones have been added to both girls.
Both images are in excellent condition with as nice of tones and contrast as you will find. Each is in half of an English case. We have added some enlargements for the viewer to decide on pre or post mortem.
Opening bid $140<\/p>\n\n\n\n