A pair of mastefully miniatures on ivory were executed ca. in 1820s and depicting portraits of two sisters ( both were purchased from the same noble collection in Germany). This two miniatures were created by two different artists. First miniature was executed Jeremias David Alexander Fiorino (1797 Kassel - 1847 Dresden) and the second portrait - by Girolamo Reggiani (1778 - 1840). About Girolamo Reggiani it`s known only , that he born 1778 in Foerli, died 1840, was Italian painter and etcher.

In contrast to him the author of first miniature Jeremias David Alexander Fiorino  was very important Saxonian miniaturist of Jewish origin, court painter by Saxony Royal House.He came from an old Jewish dealer family. Fiorino learned the handicraft of a porelain painter. Here he showed himself so talented that the Hessian cure prince became attentive to him and promoted him. Both occupation choice and his promotion would have been inconceivable in Saxonia at this time. That it could take this career/development, it owed to the Hessian ruler at that time: Jérôme, king of Westphalia, was the younger brother of Napoleon and to 1808 had a decree already issued , which granted the Jew the same rights as all other subjects. In addition also the freedom of trade belonged. 1815 - Study at the Kasseler academy. For a Sepiazeichnung received Fiorino, straight only 18-year old, the large price medal of the Kasseler academy.1818 - continue of his artistic studies at the academy of arts in Dresden .1821 - A scholarship of the Hessian cure prince made his study stay in Rome possible; The Rome was a paradies at that time for all artists. Due to his special talents Fiorino specialized as a miniature painter and became soon one of the most famous and best artists of Europe in this subject. Returned to Dresden, Fiorino painted valuable portrait miniatures also for the Wettiner on porcelain and ivory. 1830 - Return to Kassel. Here should be furnished ihis own professur for miniature painting . After the change of power 1831- in Hessen this possibility smashed itself. Fiorino settled in Dresden, which fertilized him artistically. Here he received many orders, above all also from the Saxonian royal family, which made secured life circumstances for him possible. 1830 Fiorino asked the Saxonian king several times for permission for the marriage with Johanna Elb from Dresden , daughter of the jewish dealer Nathan Levy Elb, which he had dear-learned already with his first Dresden stay. Both authorities and the king refused permission -confirm of the Hessian authorities and the Dresden Jewish municipality. For the Jewish municipality Fiorino was considered as model for the youth, since he had not to earn his living costs neither as dealer . 1831- Fiorino and his 15 years younger Johanna Elb married finally in the bohemian Teplice, where was no necessary for official permission. Four months later died the young woman at maser . The short marriage remained therefore childless. In June 1839 - Fiorino belonged to 11 Jews, who were represented in the Dresden art association. on On 22 June 1847 died only 50-years old Fiorino in Dresden and was buried in the proximity of the grave of his wife at the old Jewish cemetery . Works Fiorinos are to see today in the national art collections of Dresden, Kassel, Frankfurt am Main , Vienna and London. They are an example of the large technical skill of this painter. Miniatures by Fiorino are extreme rare for sale : only two miniarre portraits came since long time to the art dealer market.Full biography of Fiorino in German see on :

http://www.juden-in-mittelsachsen.de/shalom/jeremias_d_a_fiorino.html

Literature: Thieme/Becker "Allgemeines Lexikon der bildenden Künstler von der Antike bis zur Gegenwart"; Comanducci, IV, 1973; Servolini, 1955.

Inscription: both miniatures signed. First miniature signed lower right: "Fiorino pinx."; second: "Gir. Regiani pinx." lower right Technique: both gouaches on ivory. Original period wood frames.

Measurements: first miniature unframed w 2 5/8" x 3 1/4" (6,6 x 8,2 cm); framed 4 1/3 " x 5 1/2" (11 x 14 cm); second miniature unframed w 2 7/8" x 3 3/8" (7,2 x 8,6 cm); framed 4 1/3 " x 5 1/2" (11 x 14 cm).

Condition: both miniatures and frames are in very good condition