An original c.1820s watercolour painting – Michela de Vito, Costume di Sessano, Province of Molise in the Kingdom of Naples.A beautifully fine and intensely coloured costume figure by the female artist Michela de Vito.The figure is a female egg seller from Sessano del Molise, a municipality north of Naples and east of Rome, which at that time was part of the ruling Kingdom of Naples.Egg sellers, who were often women, were a common sight in the bustling street life of 19th-century Italy.This is one of an exquisite series of costume paintings that we have for sale by Michela de Vito.In watercolour on cream wove paper, mounted on original backing paper with Italian inscription and window cut verso. Due to loss at the left edge of the mount, it is laid down on a further backing sheet to provide a full left margin. Dimensions: Height: 19.3cm (7.6") Width: 13.9cm (5.47")Presented: Unframed. Image size: 19.3 x 13.9cm; Sheet size: 22.7 x 17.4cm.Medium: WatercolourAge: Early 19th-centurySigned: No.Inscribed: Inscribed below image on paper mount.Dated: --Condition: In excellent condition within the image, with just minor age toning and the odd faint mark. There is damage and wear to the mount sheet, with edge losses and tears, which has been shored up with an additional backing sheet to replace the lost left margin. Please see photos for detail.