Tintype Photograph of Seated Woman
Descriptive Object
Identifier:
OBJ.O.2010.10
Description
Donated by Lois Buzzell, this original tintype depicts an unidentified female family relative posed in a seated position. She props her left arm on a fringed, cushioned arm rest, with her right hand in her lap and looks forward with no expression. Her dark hair is done in ringlets and topped with a bow. She also wears pearl-drop earrings and a choker as accessories as well as a large white bow on the front of her dress. The dress appears mid-to-late 19th century in cut, with wide sleeves, lace cuffs and collar, a buttoned bodice, and two-tiered full skirt with possible bustle and bow in the back. The fabric is plaid, which was popular dress material in the 1860s when tintypes were also much in use so may date the photo to that decade, though tintypes continued to be used into the early 20th century and the dress could be older or a fashion revival, so the date of origin is indeterminate. The Buzzell family are longtime Mainers, many of whom live or have lived in Old Town and Milford, though it's unknown whether the woman in this photo did.