Sixth-plate daguerreotype plate housed under an arched sand-finish gilt brass mat and chased foliate preserver, enclosed in a hinged miniature pressed-leather case with an embossed floral cartouche exterior and an intact burnt-orange velvet facing pad displaying the gilt-stamped gallery hallmark for Van Loan & Ennis Gallery, 118 Chestnut St., Philad.a. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ca. 1851 - 1855. Plate measures approx. 2 3/4 x 3 1/4 in.; case measures approx. 3 1/4 x 3 3/4 in.

A rare and visually striking portrait depicting a youthful Scottish Highland piper. The young musician is shown half-length, gazing directly into the camera lens with quiet composure. He wears a traditional Scottish bonnet, cocked stylishly to the side of his wavy, chin-length hair. His ensemble includes an open dark jacket worn over a light-colored shirt with a loose cravat, cross-belt shoulder strap, and Highland sash draped across his torso. Cradled across his arms is a full set of Highland bagpipes, clearly showing the blowpipe angled toward his shoulder, the carved drone stock, chanter, and the fabric-draped pipe bag tucked firmly against his ribcage.

The interior velvet pad retains a sharp, fully legible imprint from the famed Philadelphia studio partnership of Samuel Van Loan and John Ennis at 118 Chestnut Street. Cased images documenting Scottish Highland regalia and traditional bagpipes are rarely seen in American daguerreian photography, but examples like this reflect burgeoning immigrant heritage along the eastern seaboard in the early 1850s.

[Daguerreotype, Sixth Plate, Bagpipes, Bagpiper, Highland Piper, Scottish, Caledonian Society, Glengarry Bonnet, Musical Instrument, Folk Music, Van Loan and Ennis, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 118 Chestnut Street, Occupational Photography, Cased Image, 1850s Photography]

Very good condition. The plate displays strong clarity, with an honest uncleaned surface showing soft natural edge halo tarnish along the inner mat arch.