Antique French Portrait Miniature, Pencil Sketch, Drawing, Matron, Alph. GIROUX Frame Clodion bronze 7 1/2" square plus extended

7 1/2" square plus extended bow top

when a letter folded in on itself and was sealed against prying eyes by sealing wax

or it might never have been signed

and sealed

The pillows are backed by a black velvet

Antique French Portrait Miniature, Pencil Sketch, Drawing, Matron, Alph. GIROUX Frame Clodion bronze 7 1/2" square plus extendedAlphonse GIROUX is a top name in 1800s' Paris, for fine frames, boxes, all manner of goods. Located at 7, rue du Coq, St. Honor, which even now is the row of shops of designers, top end goods in Paris. GIROUX was the same, and anything with that name was known at finest quality, extra merit. So it is with this matron's pencil portrait, likely done on commission through GIROUX. She counts as a portrait miniature, and I cannot read the French on back in