RARE VICTORIAN AMBROTYPE SIXTH PLATE 2 MOTHERS & 2 BABIES 1850s / 60s For Sale

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RARE VICTORIAN AMBROTYPE SIXTH PLATE 2 MOTHERS & 2 BABIES 1850s / 60s:
$688.00

RARE DOUBLE AMBROTYPE – TWO MOTHERS WITH INFANTS – CIRCA 1850s – ORIGINAL CASE

A remarkable and beautifully preserved early ambrotype depicting two seated women holding infants, posed symmetrically against a dark studio backdrop. Both mothers wear patterned Victorian dresses, each cradling a baby in a long christening gown — a mirrored tableau of motherhood and grace that radiates emotional depth.

Whether portraying twin mothers or a shared baptism, this image captures the Victorian fascination with kinship, symmetry, and remembrance. Each infant’s gown has been hand-tinted in soft white, with delicate rouge added to the cheeks — subtle yet masterfully executed.

The image rests beneath its original ornate gilt brass mat and preserver, housed in a thermoplastic union case featuring an elaborate floral scroll design. The ambrotype itself is clear and sharply detailed, with exceptional tonal range and original contrast.

Details:

Type: Ambrotype (glass plate photograph)

Era: Circa 1855–1865

Size: 1/6 plate (approx. 2.75" × 3.25")

Subject: Two mothers with infants / twin babies / mirrored family portrait

Case: Original black wood and hide 1/2 (union) case with gilt mat and plush lining, the glass plate is a bit too small inside the matting but still mounts nicely , the felt inside holds it in place.

Condition: Excellent antique condition; light age marks, no cracks; strong clarity and contrast; case closes firmly and retains good detail

Historical Significance:

This photograph is a fine example of early domestic ambrotype portraiture, showcasing how mid-19th-century families used photography to immortalize their closest bonds. Images of multiple sitters with infants — particularly dual compositions like this — are exceptionally scarce. Such portraits were often cherished mementos of family continuity, baptism, or remembrance.

Why Collect:

Rare mirrored ambrotype of mothers and infants

Original thermoplastic union case with gilt mat

Fine hand tinting and excellent preservation

Evocative composition with dual Victorian figures

A profoundly tender and visually striking relic of 19th-century family life — a once-in-a-lifetime double ambrotype with emotional and historical power.

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