I have a couple of pieces of Tagua which are slices of a palm tree nut. The more research I do the more fascinated I become with them. A relative in Virginia has a couple of miniatures from a Rebecca Willoughby that he found in London at an antique house sale. I will be traveling there in November and I plan on seeing them in person. He purchased them for $1800 each. They are both about 1.75" x 2".

I have recently seen some miniature portraits that a friend of a friend collects. They are painted by the Eskimos in Alaska on walrus ivory (this is legal).

Pat,

Yours looks very good compared to my first attempt. Where did you get your supplies? I have only found one supplier in the States. All of the other suppliers have been in the UK. I am currently painting a 3" x 3" painting of a toucan. This one is actually relatively decent looking! We will have to see the finished piece for the final word on this.

Rebecca

I have posted my first miniature painting under the Animal portrait section. It is of a raccoon. I am not quite brave enough to try a portrait. That will be next. I am considering reproducing a Bouguereau painting in miniature. I will post it when it is done.

Rebecca