Featured Tintype Information - Mat Motifs?

Hi,
I'm hoping that there are some antique photo collectors here who can help me with information about this tintype - specifically about the design of the mat. Googling hasn't helped.

This is a sixth plate. The case measures about 3 ⅝" by 3 ⅛". The photo is behind glass. The front of the case is missing.

In the close ups you can see two motifs on the mat - a bald eagle (sort of) repeated in the upper corners, and in the top center an American flag crossed with what appears to be a union jack. (?)

I wonder if there's a specific style name for this mat. I wonder if there's any reference guide to various styles of tintype mats and cases. I've included a photo of the case back.

I'm guessing that this dates from the around the 1860s. (But if you have insights about the approximate date please let me know.)

Note: I've identified this as a tintype because it will attract a magnet.

Thanks in advance!

 

Odd, the 1860s was a time of pretty poor relations between the US and the UK.
There are some other interesting motifs on the mat:

 

That's interesting, isn't it? A cornucopia and a crown? Does support the US and UK flags.

Debora

 

Interesting! I never zoomed in on those details. I wasn't aware that US's relations with the UK was sour at that period.
I'm leaning toward thinking that this dates from the late 1850s. Maybe someone with knowledge of clothing styles will have an opinion...

 

Lots of the same case floating around the internet. Dates given as 1850-1860.

Debora

 

Not an expert but... I'm seeing a frock coat, wide collar and elaborate vest. That would point to 1850s.

Debora

 

I searched again and did find the same case back through Google lens - but different mats. Thanks again.

 

Perhaps some event between the US and UK that was commemorated, or a prominent citizen who had the money to commemorate a dual citizenship? Scottish thistle too, but that was pretty popular here as well. Either way, a very interesting frame.

 

Hello, @Cereus17 -- Yes, there are some reference sources for these types of cases. I only know of one source for mats and preservers. The preserver is the brass border on the outside of the mat. If you were to take it apart you would see that the mat and the preserver are two separate pieces.

I am consulting Sean William Nolan's guide Fixed in Time: A Guide to Dating Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, and Tintypes by their mats and cases. His guide is based on his observations and studies of cases and cased images that are dated. He also incorporated information from some of the best-known guides and photo histories. He doesn't include everything that exists, since he has to have seen a copy of it before he can date it.

Okay, now to what I can tell... first, the preserver is interesting. That is the part that has the U.S. and British symbols. On pg. 50 of Fixed in Time, 3rd edition (2017), Nolan wrote:
"The only really interesting preserver is the sixth plate Anglo-American dual patriotic preserver, containing symbols of both countries, opposing each other in pairs: the American Eagle and the British Lion, the Stars & Stripes and the Union Jack, a liberty cap and a royal crown (a great example of cognitive dissonance!). This dates from about 1860, plus or minus two or three years." (boldface added)

I was unable to find an exact replica of the mat you are showing here. The inner oval closest to the image of the man doesn't appear on any mats that are reproduced in the book. However, the rest of the mat has a design similar to several sixth-plate mats that were patented in the late 1850s and early 1860s by several makers.

The half case on your piece is shown in the book. Nolan has it as #119 on pg. 183. He calls it Scottish Thistle (sometimes he uses names from other references and sometimes he had to name them himself). He dates the case from 1855-1859.

All in all, if these were originally all together and none have been replaced in later years, it seems most likely that the whole package dates from the very late 1850s to the very early 1860s.

A free pdf download of the 2017 edition of Nolan's book is available at
https://fixedintimebook.blogspot.com/

When I went there I learned that he is working on a new enlarged edition, to come out late in 2025. Looking forward to seeing what he has added in the past several years!

 

I should mention that while it seems likely to be a tintype, there is a small chance it could be an ambrotype. I have one or two ambrotypes for which the backing is blackened metal rather than paint or black cloth or paper. But still... probably a tintype.

 

Wow! That's excellent information! I knew that there must be scholarly studies that examined the iconography of these old cases and mats (and preservers) but I wasn't able to find one. I'll read the pdf. Thanks!

 

That was really awesome to read Figtree!! Wow. Thank you for sharing the pdf too. It's not my collecting sphere but I wouldn't rule out picking up one in future and needed an amazing reference like this.

 

In November of 1861, a US warship stopped and boarded the British steamer RMS Trent and arrested two Confederate diplomats. The British government demanded their release and an apology, and threatened war with the US if their demands were not met. The Lincoln administration eventually released the diplomats, and while they didn't apologize, they did put the blame on the captain of the US ship.[/QUOTE]

 

A new edition is in the works and is expected in October.