On ivory, rectangular with canted corners, a rectangular gilt-metal mount and in a leather case, 7.9cm. Circa 1840.
The sitter was the daughter of the 1st Earl of Lonsdale and sister of the Hon. Colonel H.C. Lowther (1790-1867) of Barleythorpe Hall near Oakham.
He was an exact contemporary and a regular guest of Brownlow, 2nd Marquess of Exeter (1795-1867), at Burghley, often to attend the Stamford Races.
By 1840 Henry Collen was an established portrait miniaturist, with several Royal commissions.
However, he was also interested in the development of photography and is considered to be one of the first professional photographers.
