A Favourite Pooch

Wearing a simple muslin dress with narrow elbow-length sleeves and a lace-trimmed cap, this chubby rosy-cheeked child has been portrayed with his/her loyal spaniel.

The oil on copper portrait is set in what is likely to be the original turned wood frame with an inner (regilded) crenellated border. An indecipherable pencil inscription on the backing board appears to name the child and dates the portrait to 1750. The portrait has a couple of lightly touch-up scratches but is otherwise in good condition.