A beautifully composed and technically superb half-plate daguerreotype capturing a full family grouping—father, mother, and their five daughters—in a tight, formal pose. Each subject is rendered with fine detail and depth, their expressions suggesting the quiet strength of a working-class family. The image is crisp and tonally rich, with deep blacks and striking highlights. The clarity and depth are superb even by half-plate standards.

What truly sets this piece apart is the presence of the family’s pet cat, calmly nestled on the lap of one of the daughters front and center. The child cradles the tabby with pride and affection, and the animal appears completely relaxed, its head upright and eyes gently closed. Daguerreotypes featuring pets are rare; ones where the animal is both well-composed and comfortably still are significantly scarcer.

Each figure is rendered in incredible detail—from the patterned dress of the girl with the cat, to the sheer gloves of the matron, and the daguerreotypist’s use of backdrop and lighting to create separation and dimensionality. Subtle hand-tinting enhances the cheeks of the sitters, and a golden brooch at the woman’s collar has been lightly highlighted.

Housed in a deeply embossed "Baltimore Monument", featuring the prominent neoclassical column on the lid, a design commemorating George Washington. The case retains its original red velvet pad, now unusually affixed with a knotted silk ribbon—possibly a ribbon from one of the children's hair. The image itself is bright, with strong contrast and excellent preservation. Daguerreotypes showing companion animals are exceedingly scarce, particularly in such a formal context and with this level of compositional and emotional richness.

An outstanding and evocative family portrait, encapsulating both the visual formality of the daguerreian era and a tender, unexpectedly intimate domestic moment.