A sixth plate ambrotype depicting an unidentified young child seated and holding a large cloth doll, photographed in a studio setting. The child faces the camera directly, with hair parted at the center and dressed in a dark, simple garment typical of mid-19th-century children’s portraiture. The image is an ambrotype, identifiable by its soft tonal range and presentation behind glass, and dates to the 1850s to early 1860s based on format, mat style, and photographic process.

The oversized doll, cradled firmly in the child’s arms, is a dominant visual element. It appears handmade, with a pale fabric body, painted or stitched facial features, and dark buttons or accents on the torso. The scale of the doll relative to the child suggests it was a significant personal object rather than a studio prop, emphasizing themes of childhood, comfort, and domestic life. Such images are among the earliest photographic records of children’s toys, offering a direct visual connection to 19th-century material culture.

The ambrotype is housed in a full case with an ornate oval brass mat featuring repeating decorative motifs and corner flourishes. The mat frames the figure tightly, drawing attention to the child’s expression and the doll’s form. No photographer’s imprint, inscription, or identifying text is visible on the image or within the case.