Half plate studio portrait ambrotype. N.p. (possibly North Carolina), ca. 1861–1862. Housed in a full dark brown leatherette case with gilt-tooled perimeter accents; interior lid retains an embossed crimson velvet facing pad with ornate foliate flourishes.

A commanding large-format Confederate portrait capturing a Confederate soldier posed before a neutral studio backdrop. Captured three-quarter length with his right arm resting easily upon a fabric-draped table, the soldier displays a resolute, piercing gaze, styled with flared side hair and a prominent, trimmed chin goatee.

He wears what appears to be a distinctive early-war North Carolina issue frock coat (see image of comparable published view) of coarse wool cloth. This garment features a close nine-button front closure and three coat-sized cuff buttons adorning each sleeve, all delicately accented with period touches of gold gilt paint. At his neck, a neat cravat tie peaks above the low standing collar.

The state of North Carolina operated the most efficient supply and textile apparatus in the Confederacy, producing distinctive single-breasted sack and frock uniforms for its troops through the state quartermaster department.

Half-plate Confederate portraits are exceptionally scarce, particularly examples the with presence, clarity, and scale offered here. 

[Ambrotype, Half Plate, Civil War, Confederate, CSA, North Carolina, NC, Confederate Private, State Issue, Frock Coat, Gilt Buttons, Goatee, Southern Soldier, Cased Image, 1860s Photography, Militaria]

Very good condition. The ambrotype exhibits sharp focal resolution and rich tonal range. The surface shows only scattered, minor pinpoint dusting and a few faint hairline abrasions. An excellent example of Confederate photography.