A provincial work by an unknown artist influenced by Robert Byng. 
Dated around 1670 -1720
This is an enchanting and curious find by The Lucky Magpie Salvage.
The composition and subject in itself will leave you curious to what this stunning oil painting conveys.
A young lady is posed in a rich red dress posed with her pet squirrel on a silver chain. The artist is unknown but the subject matter is. 
In the late 1600s affluent and aristocratic families gifted their children pet squirrels and foxes. It is also recorded that such depictions of these animals in similar portraiture symbolised obedience & personal restraint. 
One thing that is certain is the painting has a curious nature and beautifully executed by the artist.  . 
A very rare and unusual portrait sourced originally from a private collector.