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Portrait Miniature Paintings

Portrait miniatures were the forerunner to the 3x5 photo of today. The height of their production was from roughly 1780-1820, though the first was painted in the 15th century. Miniatures were painted for members of the aristocratic classes, mostly using watercolor or gouache. Originally, miniatures were illustrations in hand-written books, but as the medium became independent of books, the earliest freestanding miniatures were still made on vellum.

Miniatures had a variety of uses. The wealthy class might adorn their clothing with a portrait miniature of the reigning monarch to demonstrate allegiance. A young woman’s parents might send a miniature of their daughter to a potential husband. A husband and wife separated by travel could keep each other’s miniature with them.

Portrait miniatures are highly collectible, and are more affordable than many other works of art because of their diminutive scale. The major auction houses occasionally have either a small selection of miniatures, or even an entire collection assembled by a single collector over many years.


Quick Facts

  • The Victorian and Albert Museum, London has a collection of portrait miniatures from several different countries. The National Museum in Stockholm also has an extensive miniatures collection, but is closed for renovations until 2018
  • "Portrait of a Lady," 1769, by John Smart, one of the leading portrait miniature artists, sold for £23,300 at Sotheby’s London on April 16, 2008
  • Bonhams London sold an undated miniature of Jane Digby, Lady Ellenborough (1807-1881) in a fashionable India green dress, for £13,750 on November 21, 2012

Recommended Items at Auction

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MINIATURE OF A RUSSIAN MILITARY OFFICER 1844
Jun 28, 11:00 AM EDT
MINIATURE OF A RUSSIAN MILITARY OFFICER 1844
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $400- $500
$1753 Bids
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VERY FINE VIRGINIA SCHOOL (18TH / 19TH CENTURY) MINIATURE PORTRAIT OF A TALIAFERRO FAMILY GENTLEMAN
Jun 28, 9:00 AM EDT
VERY FINE VIRGINIA SCHOOL (18TH / 19TH CENTURY) MINIATURE PORTRAIT OF A TALIAFERRO FAMILY GENTLEMAN
by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Est: $500- $800
$2752 Bids
A Antique French Hand Painted Portrait Miniature in an Ornate Embellished Paste Frame
Jun 25, 6:00 PM AEST
A Antique French Hand Painted Portrait Miniature in an Ornate Embellished Paste Frame
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD100- AUD200
AUD602 Bids
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UNKNOWN FRENCH MINIATURE PAINTER
Jun 28, 10:00 AM CEST
UNKNOWN FRENCH MINIATURE PAINTER
by Galerie Moenius
Est: CHF100- CHF200
CHF1001 Bid
MINIATURE PORTRAIT OF JENNY LIND
Jun 27, 11:00 AM EDT
MINIATURE PORTRAIT OF JENNY LIND
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $300- $500
$501 Bid
(2) 19TH C. FRENCH MINIATURE PORTRAITS, UNFRAMED
Jun 28, 11:00 AM EDT
(2) 19TH C. FRENCH MINIATURE PORTRAITS, UNFRAMED
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $200- $300
$501 Bid
MINIATURE PORTRAIT AFTER SIR THOMAS LAWRENCE
Jun 28, 11:00 AM EDT
MINIATURE PORTRAIT AFTER SIR THOMAS LAWRENCE
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $200- $300
$501 Bid
EARLY 19TH C. FRENCH MINIATURE OF A COUPLE
Jun 28, 11:00 AM EDT
EARLY 19TH C. FRENCH MINIATURE OF A COUPLE
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $200- $300
$501 Bid
19th C American School Portrait Miniature Woman
Jun 28, 11:00 AM EDT
19th C American School Portrait Miniature Woman
by Kavanagh Auctions
Est: $50- $50,000
$501 Bid
MINIATURBILDNIS: PRINZ WILLIAM HENRY, DUKE OF CLARENCE.
Jun 18, 1:00 PM CEST
MINIATURBILDNIS: PRINZ WILLIAM HENRY, DUKE OF CLARENCE.
by Auktionshaus Wendl
Est: €0- €0
€1501 Bid
Collection of Four Miniature Painted Portraits
Jun 21, 10:00 AM CDT
Collection of Four Miniature Painted Portraits
by Link Auction Galleries
Est: $200- $250
$1001 Bid
MINIATURE, 19TH CENTURY, POLYCHROM
Jun 21, 10:00 AM CEST
MINIATURE, 19TH CENTURY, POLYCHROM
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€800 Bids
Miniature oil painting on tin 19th Century, dancing odalisque
Jun 22, 10:00 AM PDT
Miniature oil painting on tin 19th Century, dancing odalisque
by Carnegie's Auction Gallery
Est: $300- $400
$2000 Bids
Indo Persian Portrait Miniature Paintings 19th Century
Jun 22, 10:00 AM PDT
Indo Persian Portrait Miniature Paintings 19th Century
by Carnegie's Auction Gallery
Est: $400- $500
$3000 Bids
2 BEMALTE PLAKETTEN.
Jun 20, 10:00 AM CEST
2 BEMALTE PLAKETTEN.
by Auktionshaus Wendl
Est: €0- €0
€200 Bids
MINIATURE PAINTING ON PORCELAIN QU
Jun 21, 10:00 AM CEST
MINIATURE PAINTING ON PORCELAIN QU
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€800 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Portrait Miniature Paintings


Auktionshaus Schwab

Auktionshaus Schwab

Dawsons Auctioneers

Dawsons Auctioneers

Artvisory

Artvisory

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries