Sweet painting of a child, any idea of age?

Your little painting is an interesting and somewhat atypical structure. The majority of paintings made on fabric supports have used a simple "tabby" weave canvas - the threads running in an even over-one-under-one pattern. Modern commercial canvases made specifically for artists have, I believe, almost always been tabby woven. The fabric of your painting is a rather heavy twill pattern. There are examples of some 19th century artists deliberately choosing twill fabrics for their texture. But it is also possible for an artist to choose whatever fabric happens to be available, including repurposing various household linens, blankets, and so forth.

I cannot tell from your photos if the painting has been cut from a larger composition. What looks like chipping paint along all of the edges might be evidence of this. But I cannot tell if it looks like the threads have been cut after the paint was applied. I see no evidence of a tacking edge indicating it was ever on a stretcher/strainer. But I cannot think of a way that a small swatch of fabric like this could have been painted, unsupported, without paint overlapping the edges, which does not appear to be the case.

The gray backing board looks like what is called "binders board" (used in the construction of book bindings). Although various types of board have been used for this purpose since the 16th century, one common version of binders board that looks like this (and which is still used) is "Davey board", made by the Davey Company in New Jersey since 1842.

The solid wood backing used in your painting is a typical 19th-early20th century framing technique.

 

Yes, professional art restorers really do use saliva.

 

Thank you, great information- very much appreciated!