Mist, H - portrait of a lady

This very well painted miniature portrait is a little frustrating as, although well signed on front and rear, the artist's signature is very hard to decipher.

It appears to read on the front "H Mist 1905", but no artist of that name has been found.

On the rear, it may read "H C Mist - Overden (Ovenden?) 1905" but that place reading may be incorrect. Thus any visitor opinions of the artist's correct name and location would be welcome.

Subsequently, a kind visitor has suggested "Dresden" as an alternative interpretation of "Overden". Dresden is a German city where there were many expert miniature painters who also painted on porcelain.

Any biographical information on the artist would be welcome, as the reference books do not seem to include her/him.

The case has a silver hallmark for Birmingham with a "y" dating the frame to 1898/99, with a maker's mark "C S * F" or "C S * E".

Thus the Birmingham mark suggests the artist was not from London.

However, it is a little surprising that the frame is several years earlier than the portrait.

This could perhaps be explained by a Birmingham frame being exported to Germany, and later used by an artist based in Dresden.

It is very competently painted and does not appear to be on a photographic base.