French 18th Century Portrait of a Lady wearing a Chapeau au Ballon hat. These large fashion hats were popular circa 1790. They were made from gauze or silk and had a large pouffe crown to accommodate the hair height fashion styles of the times, with large brims to match.
Gouache on unknown surface, (we did not want to peel back the wonderful original backing paper). There is a faint signature to the front (indistinct).
The portrait sits in its original ebonised wood frame with metal surround, original backing papers and hanging loop.
Some mild wear and patina commensurate with age.
Measures including frame: 14.5cm high, 12.5cm wide.
