Custom portrait miniatures inspired by the 16th century tradition of carrying or gifting a miniature portrait of a loved one, either as a piece of jewellery or a small trinket box. Portraits were originally painted using water colours on fine animal skins and enclosed in a locket, and later painted in enamel for a more durable keepsake.
These miniature ceramic pendants are inspired by the tradition. Each one is handmade using white stoneware clay with a small nichrome wire hook. After the bisque firing, they are carefully hand painted using underglazes and the tiniest brushes possible. They are then fired again before adding the finishing touch of a layer of solid gold lustre to frame the miniature (and sometimes collar or rosette), and returning to the kiln for a 3rd time to give a shiny gold edge to the portrait.
Once your order is placed, please email a selection of clear reference photos that best represent your pet, and any other information that you would like to add, for example, if you would like their name to be written on the back, to jessellisceramics@gmail.com.
Please note, it takes 3-5 weeks from your order date for me to complete your miniature. If you need your piece for a certain date, please be sure to mention this in your email and I will do my best to accommodate.
