D04-181. LUNCH BUCKET? A very wealthy red haired woman sat for her portrait with a metallic pail placed on the table top next to her. WHY I must ask? She seems completely unattached to it. Did she dutifully carry her husband's lunch to him each day? Was he the type of fellow who was an absolute milquetoast, who slaved away at a menial job to keep his handsome, red haired Irish wife completely happy? Surely there must be more to this sixth plate, then simply a lady used to luxury having her outstanding daguerreotype made. The operator painted all of her baubles golden, and added red tint to her hair and face. The sitter's black velvet cape is awesome. Her white lace collar changes colors as the archivally resealed portrait is rotated. There is a teeny scrape above the pail and nice oxidation hugging the mat edges. The clarity, contrast and reflected depth are all first class. She is held in a leather case with a broken hinge. $330