This magnificent treasure from the 17th Century was a marvel of its time, and it is quite unusual that it has been preserved for almost 400 years.
Inside a silver screw-on Augsburg Thaler from 1639 we find a miniature of a lady and seven mica panels. Mica is a silicate mineral that is translucent and can be sliced into extremely thin slices. Each mica panel is painted with a different costume. By placing the mica panel over the miniature portrait, you therefore get to ‘redress’ the portrait miniature into different styles.
These costume changes were likely extra humorous in the 17th Century, when societal roles were far more strict than now: by changing into different costumes, the miniature assumes different roles in society, a layer of meaning that feels a bit lost in our modern eye, but likely created a hilarious pastime for its original owner.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: The thaler is 41 mm in diameter, the portrait miniature is 36 mm in diameter.
Weight: 13.70 grams.
Age: 17th Century, circa 1640s.
Material: The thaler is made from silver, I believe the portrait to be painted on vellum; the panels are made from mica.
Condition: In antique condition with signs of wear and use. The thaler and portrait are in good condition for their age, but the remaining mica panels are extremely fragile. I handled them with pliers, and would advise being very careful when handling them to ensure they do not deteriorate further.
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