Quarter-Plate Ambrotype

Quarter-Plate Ambrotype (1855 - 1865), 19th century portrait, in vintage case, 3.25 x 4.25. Developed in 1851 by Frederick Scott Archer, ambrotype, or amphitype, hails from the Greek words "immortal" and "impression." These images were impressed on glass through a variant of the wet plate collodion process. They required shorter exposure times than daguerreotypes and were more affordable to manufacture, two factors which contributed to their rise in popularity.

Featured here is a 19th century half-length portrait of a woman with pink-tinted cheeks in traditional period garb, including a bonnet and layered plaid dress. Bordered by an ornate gold frame, the crystal clear image is encased under glass. The interior of the front cover is lined in red velvet, and although the front cover is detached at the hinge, the case still bears the original closure clasps.

A separation at the hinge and the expected wear to the case, otherwise fine condition.