American school, possibly Southern, 1821. Oval watercolor mourning portrait miniature of James Mongin Smith (American, born Beaufort, SC, April 1, 1798, died Marietta, GA, November 26, 1859), together with a plated lock of his hair to the verso, in a 12k yellow gold frame under glass, and contained in a fitted case. Unmarked. Provenance: Likely given to his wife Laura Margaret Smith (nee Cole), then to her daughter, Laura Margaret Brumby (nee Smith), then to her daughter, Laura Margaret Hoppe (nee Brumby). A calling card for Mrs. Lewis D. Hoppe with personal inscriptions accompanies this lot. Note: Mrs. Lewis D. Hoppe, (nee Laura Margaret Brumby, 1867-1955), was the daughter of James Remley Brumby Sr. (1846-1934), founder of The Brumby Chair Company of Marietta, GA. The subject of the miniature was her maternal grandfather. James Mongin Smith was a rice planter who attended Yale University as well as Princeton University, classes of 1819 and 1822. His home Orange Hall, in Marietta, GA, burned in the early 1900s. It was a smaller replica of an earlier home, also of the same name in St. Mary's, GA. It is still standing. Approx. 2.75" x 2.25" (frame); 2.625" x 2.125" (sight).

Small area of abrasion to background, over right shoulder; not examined out of frame; wear to case.