Sixth-Plate Ambrotype

Sixth-Plate Ambrotype (1855 - 1865), 19th century portrait, vintage case, 2.75 x 3.25. 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.

Pictured within this vintage case is a full-length portrait of an older couple; the gentleman is seated while his wife stands beside him, arm resting on his left shoulder. Both are clad in traditional period garb and both bear pink-tinting on their cheeks. The woman's oversized shall is also enhanced with pink-tinted highlights. The image is framed by an embellished gold frame, and the interior of the front cover features an intricately embellished design in gold felt. Although the front cover is separated at the hinge, the original closure claps remains intact.

In fine condition, with a missing front cover and the expected wear to the case.