A lady by William Verstille, circa 1795.

This is an captivating example of 18th century folk portraiture in miniature.  The charming eglomise decorated case completes the package.
 
Set in the original gilt metal locket case with hinged lenses, adorned with pink, white and gold englomise.
 
2 13/16 inches high.
 
William Verstille (1757-1803), artist, jeweler, and Revolutionary War soldier,  was in his time, one of the most prominent miniaturists in the country. Verstille lived in Connecticut where he served during the Revolution as a lieutenant in Colonel Samuel B. Webb's Regiment, all the while continuing to paint.  In the 1780's, he worked in Philadelphia and New York.  Verstille's account book for the year 1787 has survived. Verstille spent that year in New York City, where, in addition to taking portraits, he worked as a goldsmith for merchant Daniel Van Voorhis, executing both gold cases and hairwork devices.  Van Voorhis' accounts reflect commissions for the Washingtons of a ring, hairwork devices and the "President's picture" executed by Verstille in 1790. During the 1790's Verstille painted in Connecticut and Massachusetts.  His last advertisement was  in Salem in 1802.  The Peabody/Essex Museum has a large collection of his works from that period, many of prominent Salem families. 
 

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