Circa 1830, watercolor on ivory, unsigned, brown-eyed sitter with curly brown hair adorned with flowers, wearing jeweled earrings and black dress, presented behind glass in a gold plated locket with cast foliate decoration, the glazed aperture en verso retains hairwork plait.

Locket 3 1/4 x 2 3/8 in.; painting 2 3/8 x 1 7/8 in.

Collection of a Gentleman

Born in Salem, Massachusetts in 1788, William Lewis had advertised portrait services in the Salem area as well as Portland, Maine from 1806-1821, with speciality in miniature portraits, portraits in oil and drawings. After this period it is believed he relocated to Boston area to paint until 1838, with occasional trips to Newport, Rhode Island and back to Salem. He exhibited works at both the Boston Athenaeum and the Boston Mechanics’ Association.

Good estate condition; minor surface marks and rubbing to locket.

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