C. 1830s Ink and Watercolor Miniature Portrait, E.C Gregg pocket match holder I just love the paint

I just love the paint job on this old wooden cutout ship

Box measures 4" x 2 3/4" x 3/4"

14 3/4" x 11 1/4"

These were covered with protective yellow translucent films

I do think it was made very much in the tradition of antique carved folk art dolls

C. 1830s Ink and Watercolor Miniature Portrait, E.C Gregg pocket match holder I just love the paintYou know I love a miniature portrait, but sometimes they start to blur together, so when I I spotted this very specific feeling portrait of a distinctive looking gentleman yesterday at the Papertown show in Boxborough, MA, I jumped on it. (And, at the end of the day, my drive is toward assembling an interesting and lively cast of characters to keep company with!) I believe American, though he looks perhaps French, or maybe even partly Middle Eastern.