The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This charming work is in beautiful condition. It has never been restored and should be hung as is.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Carriera was a pioneer in the art of painting portrait miniatures on ivory and is credited with introducing its use as a support.  Even unpainted, ivory has a translucency similar to skin and, therefore, proved an ideal medium for portraiture.

The theme of the young peasant girl with a basket of fruit was repeated often by Rosalba in a number of miniatures on ivory dating from the first decade of the 18^th century.¹  The composition of this painting, especially the position of the hand and expression of the sitter, is very close to that of another miniature depicting a young woman as Flora in a private collection, London.²


1.  See B. Sani, Rosalba Carriera, Turin 2007, pp. 75-76, cat. nos. 26 and 28-29, reproduced.
2.  Ibid, p. 84, cat. no. 46, reproduced.