CCA's Current Digs: Regency-Era Girl with a Coral Necklace Miniature Portrait

Currently Working On

I recently received a question on TikTok that somewhat shook me to my core. "Would you have a problem explaining how what you sell is authentic?" I scoffed out loud. "But I do so much," I wailed to my partner at 11:15 pm while watching The Office. "It's so sad that there are people out there who think I'm trying to deceive them." "If only they knew how much research, time, and effort I pour into each piece I list." As I spoke, I knew in my heart why they brought it up, and they had every right to. After listening a bit, my partner replies thoughtfully. "You know, you should show what you do. I get to see you jump for joy when you spend a week looking through online archives and finding the patent for a wedding band you saved from scrap, but no one else gets to see, let alone know that."

After staying up until 2 am tossing and turning, I'm doing just that. Welcome to CCA's current Digs, where I write about what I'm researching and pieces I'm diving deeper into. Oftentimes, harder pieces take me around a month to fully examine. This is where I actually spend much of my time: researching, examining, and piecing together the histories behind each object before it’s formally introduced.

On the Table Right Now

At the moment, I'm studying:

Regency Era Miniature Portrait 

Initial observations: I ended up getting this piece at auction with no other information. "Antique Miniature Portrait" is all they called it. What immediately caught my eye was the antique cut paste (leaded glass, used as a diamond simulant) adorning the frame, along with the striking coral-beaded necklace drawing the viewer's eye towards her slender neck. Peering eyes gaze at the viewer.

Digging in: After a good clean (the silver was oxidized so poorly it was black!) I started my search. The finely painted portrait miniature, delicate brushwork, and a luminous complexion are typical of early 19th-century British examples. The setting and scale suggest it was intended to be worn as a personal keepsake. 

Research focus: attribution, artistic style, and comparison to documented works. Through careful study, I have found compelling similarities to the work of Andrew Plimer (British, 1763–1837), a noted portrait miniaturist of the Regency period.

Spotlight: Andrew Plimer (1763–1837)

Andrew Plimer was one of the most accomplished British portrait miniaturists working during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Alongside his brother, Nathaniel Plimer, he rose to prominence after studying under the influential miniaturist Richard Cosway. Plimer’s work is often characterized by its refined elegance—soft modeling of the face, graceful poses, and an ability to capture both likeness and subtle expression within a remarkably small scale.

Operating during the Regency era, Plimer produced portraits for a fashionable clientele, and his miniatures were frequently set into lockets, brooches, or other intimate forms of jewelry. These pieces served not only as adornment but as deeply personal objects, often exchanged as tokens of affection or remembrance.

In our current research, particular attention has been given to the handling of the eyes, the treatment of hair, and the palette used in the background—details that align closely with known examples of Plimer’s work. While attribution always requires careful consideration, these parallels offer an exciting direction for further study.

What is CCA Looking For?

Each piece asks different questions, and our current lines of inquiry often include:

• Construction techniques (settings, frames, and mountings)

• Artistic style and brushwork in miniature portraits

• Maker’s marks or inscriptions

• Stylistic periods and regional influences

• Signs of wear, later additions, or adaptations over time

The Process

My approach is both methodical and intuitive. I reference archival materials, compare with documented examples, and draw on years of hands-on experience. Some answers come quickly; others take time to unfold. Every detail—no matter how small—helps refine understanding.

Why It Matters

Before any piece is listed, it passes through this stage of careful study. This ensures that what Clover Collective Antiques presents is not only beautiful but also properly understood and accurately described. It’s part of my commitment to honoring the craftsmanship and history behind every item.

Coming Soon

This miniature portrait—and the other pieces currently under study—are still revealing their stories. Once our research is complete, they will move from the worktable to the collection, ready to be shared in full.

Until then, this is where the discovery happens.