Please could you offer a date for this photograph?

[jim1]

Been looking at some from my collection & came across this one which is very similar.

[Treetotal]

Hi Neill....I don't think she is very old maybe late teens early 20s. Shame we can't see her wedding finger. It could be a 21st Birthday photo.
I gave it a bit of a clean for you.
Carol

[Neill Richard Potts]

Hi Neill....I don't think she is very old maybe late teens early 20s. Shame we can't see her wedding finger. It could be a 21st Birthday photo.
I gave it a bit of a clean for you.
Carol

Many thanks for cleaning the photo up Carol ... I'm waiting for my cousin to get back to me as it's her photo and she's in New Zealand and I'm in the UK ... we 'chat' almost daily on the email so I may be able to provide more information shortly. I agree about early 20's ... I'm managing to narrow her down a bit more now. Neill

[Neill Richard Potts]

Been looking at some from my collection & came across this one which is very similar.

Yes it is ... interesting that your lady has the chain up to her neck ... very strange these old trends for loved ones. Neill

[aus*jen]

Not a lot of detail in the lady's hand but she may be wearing a ring on her wedding finger.  Is this
perhaps why her hand is in a prominent position in this photo - almost obscuring the anchor.
Looking at marriages for the suggested time frame might give some clues.

[Wiggy]

I wonder if it is a cross on the other end of the chain?

[Treetotal]

Yes I see it too now Wiggy...there must be some significant to the cross and anchor but I can't think what.
Carol

[clearly]

I don't know where this information came from, but in the back of my mind I have a recollection that among mid Victorian women, the wearing of a chain, along with keys, showed that you were either the housekeeper in a large house (the lady of the house would never demean herself by wearing such items) or that you were the mistress of your own house.

I think this may have come from my great grandmother who was cook and then housekeeper of a very large mansion in North Cumbria, but not sure.

[Wiggy]

Would the housekeeper be wearing such very rich clothing?  ( just asking    )

I can't see the anchor . . .  I can see her clothing making two curved light patched around one end of her chain, but the other thing looks more like a crucifix to me.  I bet I am wrong though.