Miniature oval portrait of 2nd Lt Gavin Johnstone, RA, circa 1890s

A small oval portrait, 50 x 40 mm visible, in a glazed brass frame with hanging loop, contained in the original leather covered case. The portrait showing the young 2nd lieutenant bust length wearing his cap is identified on a manuscript label on the verso as Gavin Johnstone. We have not removed the portrait from the frame but are assuming it is a good coloured photographic portrait rather than a painted miniature, The case does not lock easily when closed so the hinge is probably sprained. jun30/1

Provenance: By familty decent until bought by us. Johnstone died very young so had a very short military career. He came from a Scottish family with a long history of military service, much of it in India. An ancestor, Major General Henry Johnstone, appears elsewhere on the website in a good uniform photograph.