Sixth plate hand-tinted ambrotype. (Minor spotting.) Housed in half pressed paper case with foliate design. 

A nicely tinted portrait of an unidentified naval subject, an ordinary seaman of unknown context. Possibly representing a foreign navy or a civilian mariner, the seaman's jaunty cap and wide-collared shirt are tinted a shade of cornflower blue. Likely 1850s, the lack of insignia, rating badges, or cap tally makes it difficult to confirm period or origin.