Charming and visually rich ninth plate ambrotype of a young girl seated with her cloth doll, framed by an elaborate painted studio backdrop. The child wears an off-the-shoulder dress with puffed sleeves, enhanced with delicate hand-tinted accents—rosy cheeks, gold necklace, and highlights on the doll’s attire. Her wide eyes and slight, curious expression lend a sense of innocence and intimacy to the portrait.

The painted backdrop, likely depicting a pastoral scene with a peaked-roof structure, adds rare depth and artistic flair to the composition. These kinds of backdrops were a hallmark of higher-end ambrotype studios aiming to give portraits a more narrative or romantic setting.

Housed in a floral brass mat and ornate pressed-preserver, the image is well-preserved with only minor speckling. An exceptional example of mid-19th century child portraiture with a rare combination of props, tinting, and painterly studio staging—perfect for collectors of early photography, children's images, or Americana.