Antique French Portrait Miniature, Early 19th Century, a Beautiful 18th Century Woman with Mandolin Crumb Brush I'd guess the panels were

I'd guess the panels were once backs on French chairs

that style being almost a signature and is as beautiful as can be along with the swirled pattern on the tray and inkwell lid

subject to rules noted below

with those eyes so bold and touch of a smile which shows off a dimple

No veneer or inlay losses or damage

Antique French Portrait Miniature, Early 19th Century, a Beautiful 18th Century Woman with Mandolin Crumb Brush I'd guess the panels wereWhat a beauty she is! It's fascinating, isn't it, that so much personality and detail can be painted in 5 8", which is the height of her beautiful face. This woman, fashioned in hair and gown of c. 1770s, but I think painted later perhaps as a souvenir taken from an earlier painting, shows her playing a mandolin. Always fun to have portraits with musical instruments, sewing or writing tools or personal objects to help define the sitter. The painting