John Miers, Portrait of an Unknown Woman

John Miers, About 1758-1821
Portrait of an Unknown Woman
About 1790-5
Watercolour on ivory; set in the lid of an ivory box
Signed below the bust, 'Miers'
Museum no. P.165-1922
Presented by Captain Desmond Coke

The box in which the miniature is set would have contained patches. These were small spots of black velvet or silk, in various shapes, which were glued to the face as ornaments. There is a mirror inside the lid, and the box is lined with green velvet.