Two Victorian Miniature Portraits of the two most wonderful looking Gentlemen Framed as One

THE STORY - Oh my goodness each individual portrait would have turned my eye and captured my heart but to have them both framed together is just so wonderful. Although it brings with it the question of why they were together. A question I have been unable to answer. The portraits I believe are both watercolour on card and I think from the dress and hairstyles of the two gentlemen would date to the early Victorian period circa 1845. The painting of each gentleman is finely executed although neither is signed. I love the way their heads appear over their very high collars which were fashionable during this period. I do have to say I do wonder whether they were Merchants or Professionals such as Lawyers or Doctors as it is difficult to believe they were from the same family as they look so very different. Both gentlemen are looking in the same direction and the portraits sit within a gold mount within a wooden frame which looks to me like it has been painted. On the back of the frame there is a Trade Label for the framers.

AGE - Circa 1845

CONDITION - The portraits are in good condition although there is as I hope you can see from my photographs some foxing to the card and to the gentleman with the double breasted jacket there is some loss to the paint of the jacket. The frame is in good condition with no scratches to the glass that I can see. There is some wear to the gilt slip and there is some light scratching to the frame. The brown paper backing to the frame is coming away. And there is no hook or string from which to hang it. I think it was originally hung from string or wire as there are two holes either side of the frame form which it would have hung.

DIMENSIONS (Approx) - Framed - Length 11" / 28cm, Height 8" / 20cm, Depth 1&1/4" / 3cm. Each Miniature Unframed - Height 3&1/4" / 8cm, Width 2&1/2 / 6cm

It is so lovey to have these two gentlemen sharing the same frame, and I have just realised as I am writing this piece there is some writing in pencil on the back of the frame at the top but unfortunately it is incomplete as some of the paper has been lost and it is impossible to read. So frustratingly I still do not know the relationship of these two gentlemen, but a close relationship it must of been and one that meant an awful lot to each one of them. And I wonder where this picture would have been hung and what if any occasion was the reason for the portraits. They are two fine looking gentlemen!