A young woman sits beside a small framed photograph propped on the table at her elbow in this quarter plate ambrotype, a memorial portrait of the type collectors call a PIP, or picture within a picture. The second image stands upright in a mat with an arched opening. Gilt highlights are applied to her jewelry, and no photographer's imprint is visible.

She wears a dark dress with bands of trim across the bodice, wide sleeves, and a white scalloped lace collar fastened with a brooch. Bracelets circle both wrists and a ring shows on one hand, each picked out in gold. Her hair is center parted and drawn back, and she looks directly at the camera.

Portraits that include a second photograph were often made to remember an absent or deceased family member, with the earlier likeness standing in for that person. The sitter in the smaller image is not identified.

Black painted glass passe-partout with gilt border and shaped gilt line, in a brown embossed binding, with diamond pattern paper backing and metal hanging loop. Quarter plate.