Sixth plate daguerreotype depicting a sleeping newborn laid on pillows in a domestic parlor setting, presented across a facing pair of images within a hinged case. The infant is shown at rest, swaddled and positioned carefully on a bed or sofa, with the ornate carved headboard and interior furnishings visible behind. The calm pose and natural setting indicate that the photographer traveled to the family’s home rather than working within a fixed studio, a practice reserved for clients of considerable means due to the expense, equipment, and technical difficulty involved.

Domestic post-mortem and early-life portraits such as this were commissioned as intimate family keepsakes, particularly at a time when infant mortality was high and photographic portraits were rare. The use of natural interior light, the controlled exposure required for a living but motionless subject, and the clarity of detail demonstrate a skilled practitioner comfortable working outside the studio environment. The paired images suggest either multiple exposures made during the same sitting or an intentional presentation emphasizing permanence and remembrance.

The daguerreotypes are housed in a period black thermoplastic case with gilt brass mats and patterned borders. Both images remain well-seated beneath the original glass, with light surface wear consistent with age. The interior retains its original velvet pads, and the case closes securely. No photographer’s imprint or inscriptions are present.