A society belle

A large and extremely fine quality portrait miniature ring of a lady of substance from the late 18th century in the style of Cotes. The high carat gold ring contains a watercolour portrait of a young belle who gazes at the viewer with an air of self confidence. She has upswept powdered hair threaded with pearl drapery and tied with white ribbons. Her complexion is fashionably pale from white lead makeup, with mouse-skin eye brows and rouged lips. The de rigueur skin colour in Europe was palest white as it suggested wealth and idleness. She wears a rose-pink gown, the most fashionable colour of the age. The miniature is within a surround of rose-cut diamonds and under crystal. The ring is size P [US 7 and 1/2] and the head of the ring measures 1 and 1/8 inches by 3/4 of an inch. A most finely executed miniature in its original 18th century satin lined ring box, in immaculate condition.

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