A pair of 17th Century beguiling and atmospheric Dutch School miniature portrait roundels.

These delft and delicately painted portraits of a pair of aptly clothed gentleman are full of character and personality. Their clothes suggest their occupation. One wears a fur coat and hat, perhaps a wealthy textile merchant. The other wearing the wide brimmed black hat, coat with white collar suggesting a military career. Painted in oil on copper, and held in a slim ebony frame, they also - unusually - feature an etched plate side illustrating another set of portraits with similar but not identical profiles to the back. These pieces may have not have been painted purposefully as miniature paintings, but drafts for larger potential commissioned works, or as apprentice pieces.

The etchings and method of painting is of the Dutch School, the freedom in the mark making on the back etched plate is expressive and reminiscent of the work of the Dutch Master Rembrandt.

Size per roundel.