Eliza Law Rogers
In an age before photography, portrait miniatures provided a means to recall the likeness of a friend or loved one and preserve fragile emotional and familial bonds. Affectionately known as "Rosebud," Eliza Law Rogers was the only daughter of Eliza Parke Custis, a granddaughter of Martha Washington, and Thomas Law. She presented this portrait to her mother with the dedication "A Trifle for the best of mothers." Eliza Custis treasured the gift, but noted that the image of her "precious child" was "not like her."
Double-sided gold plated copper case with double-ring loop at top; loop is hinged on a rivet and moves from side to side; filling material used in this case includes two pieces of paper cut from an envelope; on the reverse is piece of laid paper inscribed in ink as noted above.
Published ReferencesCatalogue of the Loan Exhibitions of Historical Portraits and Relics, Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, April 17th to May 8th 1889 (New York: Committee on Centennial Celebration of the Inauguration of Washington, 1889), 38.