Can you date this photo please?

[Rian]

I believe this could be my great great grandparents— Thomas Fennessy and Mary Ann (nee Cleary). If so it would have been taken in Ireland.
Has anyone any idea of the date? It is a glass plate photo, roughly painted with dark brownish coloidal material on the back.
Thanks for looking, Rian.

[old rowley]

Hi Rian,

I would suggest that this study was taken sometime between 1857 to 1860. The mans facial hair was known as a newgate frill and although it was a form of a beard there was no side whiskers (as here) he also has no mustache to accompany the chin whiskers (which you would not have with a newgate frill anyway) which could have been through personal choice or "fashion" as men, during the victorian period at least, really only wore mustaches after 1857. Around his neck he is wearing a cravat with a flat bow and the sleeves on his jacket appear to be pegtop ones which again places this in or about 1857.

The woman is shown with a centre parting, with the ears covered and with her hair up in either a plain or coiled bun at the back of the head, which in this case, also appears to have a hair net placed over it, this was common in the late 1850's. The sleeves on the dress are in the bishop style being full from shoulder (under epaulettes) to wrist band. The collar is low and closed up to the neck with a white turn down collar showing.. Hope this is of some help.

old rowley

[Rian]

What a mine of information you are! Thank you very much.
My wild guess of 1855 wasn't too far out then.
Cheers, Rian.

[mudge]

Here's a lighten up for anyone to use!  I'm off to bed.  Good luck
Mudge 

[skippy]

bit of a clean up........sorry, cannot help with date.
Needs some (lots) more work and I'll play around over the next
few days.
Anyone wants to have a go ..........continue on this pic/post please feel free.


Skippy

[Rian]

Thank you Mudge and Skippy — looks much better already.
Cheers, Rian.

[Lady Di]

Hi Rian,

This is a fabulous old picture and amazingly clear.

I know I haven't done it justice but here's my try anyway.

Di

[Lones]

Hi Di

Welcome back I hope you are feeling better soon, BOY, did I miss you   having to do my own restorations really sucked  .  I much prefer to steal yours  .  Once again you have done a sterling job and I couldn't resist, sorry    I tweaked it a bit for easier colouring.  I hope you don't mind

Cheers Lones

[Elizabeth Revel]

Congratulations to all the people who worked on this one.

You have achieved amazing results and continue to bring enjoyment to those of us who wander in to watch.

Beth