Ambrotype of Young Woman in printed dress

This photograph is a tinted ambrotype, which is typically kept in a case such as this one to protect the image from sunlight and heat. Ambrotypes appeared in the early 1850s and became very popular, displacing the early daguerreotype.

The well-worn case has a clasp to keep two halves closed, like a book. A gold plated design frames the subject of the photo. Framing this gold design is a small layer of mustard-colored velvet and smaller gold details framing that. Opposite the woman in the case is velvet with a floral design and the small gold details extending from the other side of the case.

The woman’s dress has alternating checked and plain stripes. The white collar is exquisitely embroidered. According to Joan Severa, collars in the 1850s were wider than the collars seen in the previous decade since the necklines on dresses were higher. The style of the sitter’s dress displays 1850s features such as wide sleeves and natural waist waistline.

References

Severa, Joan. Dressed for the Photographer: Ordinary Americans and Fashion, 1840-1900, Kent,Ohio: The Kent State University Press, 1995

Lisson, Lisa. How to Identify 5 Types of Old Photographs, Lisa Lisson: Are You My Cousin?Genealogy, https://lisalisson.com/5-types-of-old-photographs/