Help wanted dating photograph of mariner and wife James and Jane Higgins

[deejayEn]

I was given this photo many years ago by an elderly relative many years ago, she told me she thought it was her great grandparents James and Jane Higgins.  He was born in 1853 and was a boatswain although he gave up working on the sea when he was in his thirties. However it seems possible that it could be his father and mother Bartholomew and Jane Higgins. He spent his whole life at sea from an apprentice at the age of 15 until his death at 65, becoming a master mariner in 1851.

If the photo is of James and his wife it will date from the late 1870s or 1880s, but if it Bartholomew it will be earlier circa 1850-1870. Can anyone tell from the way the lady is dressed which decade it is from, and can anyone tell if the man is wearing the uniform of a master mariner or just a boatswain/seaman? This will help me establish who it is in the photo. Thank you.

[Treetotal]

I would guess at 1860s but Jim will have a better idea. This will bring it back up the board for his attention.
Carol

[jim1]

Most definitely 1870's. As it's a squared cornered CdeV it's most likely the first half of that decade.
There's a bit of mixed symbolism here with them each side of a balustrade usually indicating not yet married however he has his hand on her arm indicating they are. Her left hand isn't visible showing off a wedding ring which is what one might expect with newly-weds. So if you believe in odds they're probably not yet wed.

[deejayEn]

Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated.

[Handypandy]

Hardly a work of art... but passed me a couple of hours on 

[deejayEn]

That's amazing, thank you. My mother will be really pleased when I show it to her.