19th-Century Miniature Portrait of Empress Joséphine in 24K Gold Frame, Signed “Jouy”
Item Description 1. Artwork: • Subject: Empress Joséphine Bonaparte, depicted in a regal gown adorned with jewels and a tiara. • Style: Hand-painted miniature portrait in the French tradition, likely 19th or early 20th century. • Artist: Signed “Jouy” on the front, a potentially lesser-known French miniature artist. Further research into the artist’s identity is ongoing. • Medium: Gouache or watercolor on ivory (or another fine surface commonly used for miniatures). 2. Frame: • Material: Frame tested positive for 24-karat gold, likely handcrafted with a rectangular design, rounded corners, and a hanging loop. • Backing: Velvet backing with a hinged stand, typical of 19th to early 20th-century French craftsmanship. • Condition: Excellent condition with minor wear appropriate for its age. 3. Inscription: • Back of the portrait includes handwritten text: • “Impératrice Joséphine” • “Made in France” Key Features and Historical Context 1. Historical Subject: • Empress Joséphine Bonaparte (1763–1814), a significant figure in French history and Napoleonic art, is a highly collectible subject. • The miniature captures her iconic regal attire and jewels, consistent with known portraits. 2. Artistic Signature: • The name “Jouy” is signed on the front of the painting, but the artist’s identity remains to be confirmed. The style suggests a skilled French miniature artist. 3. Gold Frame: • The frame has been acid-tested and confirmed to be at least 24-karat gold. Its design aligns with high-quality French miniature frames. • The intrinsic gold content and craftsmanship add to its overall significance. 4. Condition: • The miniature portrait, frame, and backing are all in excellent condition, with minimal wear. Questions for the Appraiser 1. Can you confirm or provide further information about the artist “Jouy”? 2. Is the surface confirmed to be ivory or another material? 3. Does the frame’s design and composition suggest a specific date or maker? 4. Could the inscription or style indicate a link to a specific workshop or artist?
Approximately 4” x 3”
Inherited
Yes
Dear Michael Schaeffer,
Thank you for your appraisal submission. The work is a gouache painting on panel, possibly ivory. It is a portrait of a female sitter in a pale green gown, draped in an ermine coat, bejeweled with a necklace, earrings, and crown. To the verso of the work, the sitter is identified as Empress Josephine Bonaparte (1763-1814). To the right margin, the work is signed "Jouy." While there are multiple listed artists of this name, none match this signature and medium. The practice of gouache on ivory for miniature portraits started in the early 18th century in Italy, only migrating throughout Europe decades later. This work however, is likely not contemporary to Josephine's lifetime, and considering its modern traits and prominence of signature, a late 19th/early 20th century piece. From the images provided, the work appears to be in Good condition with frame abrasions to the edges and some surface wear throughout.
Without an artistic attribution, the Fair Market Evaluation of this work considers sales trends of works of this medium, approximate date, and condition. Due to the popularity of the medium, gouache and watercolor paintings on ivory appear steadily on the market and have been of specific interest to collectors in recent years. Considering these sales trends, in addition to the notoriety of the sitter, we estimate the Fair Market Value of this work between $200 and $500.
Please note that if you are interested in selling this item, we recommend additional research on US ivory sales laws and regulations.
Kind regards,
Charlotte B.
