Michael Lehr Antiques
Live Auction

Fall Photographic History Auction, 2025

Sat, Sep 6, 2025 01:00PM EDT
Lot 245

Sixth Plate Ambrotype of Elderly Woman in a Top Hat

Estimate: $200 - $300

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Odd sixth plate ambrotype capturing an elderly woman in an extraordinary and theatrical pose, wearing an oversized top hat and white frilled cap beneath, seated with a younger woman standing beside her. The matriarch's attire and choice of headwear create a striking juxtaposition, blending traditional and whimsical elements in a portrait that is both humorous and oddly formal.

The younger woman, dressed in a plain dark dress with a row of buttons and a small brooch at the collar, stands with her hand resting gently on the elder's shoulder. The older subject gazes with a lively expression that hints at mischief, her elaborate lace collar and cloak completing the dramatic presentation. A rare and unusual example of 19th-century portraiture that playfully subverts convention while preserving intergenerational presence.

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