Quarter-Plate Ambrotype

Quarter-Plate Ambrotype (1855 - 1865), 19th century portrait, vintage case, 3.25 x 4.25. Developed in 1851 by Frederick Scott Archer, ambrotype, or amphitype, hails from the Greek words "immortal" and "impression." These images were impressed on glass through a variant of the wet plate collodion process. They required shorter exposure times than daguerreotypes and were more affordable to manufacture, two factors which contributed to their rise in popularity before the advent of the carte de visite in the early 1860s.

Enclosed within this embellished vintage case is a 19th century portrait of what is likely a group of six Civil War soldiers, one of which appears to be wearing a kepi. Each man is holding what looks like a small cup, and the man in the middle of the front row is grasping a bottle of wine and has a pipe perched from his lips. The image is bordered by a gorgeous floral-engraved frame, and the interior of the front cover is lined in floral-emblazoned red velvet. Case remains attached at hinges and still bears the original, functioning closure clasps.

Expected wear to the exterior of the case with a bit of the hinging starting to come loose, otherwise fine condition.