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Gift of Miss Theora J. Bunnell in memory of Ella Coe Birdsey Curtis, 1952.114.4, Connecticut Mu…
Ella and Flora Birdsey
Gift of Miss Theora J. Bunnell in memory of Ella Coe Birdsey Curtis, 1952.114.4, Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, No known copyright

Ella and Flora Birdsey

PhotographerPhotographed by Unknown
Date1855
MediumDaguerreotype; silver-coated copper plate in brass mat package in tooled leather-covered wooden case; embossed red velvet pad in left side of open case
DimensionsPlate (height x width): 3 1/4 × 2 3/4in. (8.3 × 7cm)
Other (case height x width x depth): 3 5/8 × 3 1/8 × 1/2in. (9.2 × 7.9 × 1.3cm)
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineGift of Miss Theora J. Bunnell in memory of Ella Coe Birdsey Curtis
DescriptionSixth-plate daguerreotype of sisters Ella, left, and Flora Birsdey, taken when the girls were 8 and 4, respectively. The girls are standing, and most of their clothing is visible. They are both wearing dresses (probably made of printed cotton) with full bodices and skirts set into waistbands. The necklines are slightly off the shoulder, and the sleeves are short. There are growth tucks in the skirts, meant to be taken out as they grew to get more use out of dresses and skirts.

The hair of both girls is parted in the middle, but Ella's is pulled back into curls/twists and trimmed with ribbon, while Flora's is curled into ringlets that frame her face.

Ella's left hand is resting on books stacked on the the table between the two girls, which is covered with a decorative tablecloth. Flora's right hand is resting on it and she is holding what appears to be a small bouquet or posy in her left.
Object number1952.114.4
NotesDate note: According to the object file, this daguerreotype was made in 1855 in Meriden, when Ella was 8 and Flora was 4.
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