Chicken for Dinner!

An unframed 18th century pen, ink & watercolour study on laid paper of, presumably a mother and child, either heading to the market with their empty baskets or returning from the market, having sold all their produce.

The paper is much browned with a (drawing) pin hole to the top edge, a light diagonal scratch and a small closed tear to the left of the lady’s feet. It’s a charming portrait nonetheless with attractive costume detailing such as the boy’s shoe buckles and the lady’s fingerless mittens. A helpful ink inscription on the reverse reads ‘very old / 6d’!