My guess is that this little girl is dressed as Schmutzli, the Swiss companion to St. Nicholas who carries a broom of sticks with which to hit misbehaving children! It was taken around 1905 and she is one of the three Ruthven-Smith sisters whose maternal grandfather owned Dromquinna House, Kenmare, County Kerry. Doreen (1895-1988); Gwendaline Laura (1898-1989) and Theophila (1902-1982) divided their time between Switzerland, Ireland and their father, Frederic Ruthven-Smith’s home Bramcote Hall, Nottingham. He was a keen photographer and it is likely that he took the images in the album I purchased online.
Sir John Colomb their grandfather owned 4,500 acres and was High Sheriff of Kerry and a member of the Congested Districts Board. His home was designed by the prolific architect James Franklin Fuller and is now a luxury hotel.
The album from which this photograph originates includes some amazing photographs of the estate as well as beautiful portraits of the three sisters. I hope to do more research into it and post about it in 2013!
She looks like she is floating on a cloud! Merry Christmas!
It is funny to think this was taken in 1905 when most photos were so formal and studio bound. The squinting into the sunlight makes the picture look very contemporary.
Happy Christmas to you too. Hope all well with you?
Yes, thanks Orla!
Really nice find. Looking forward to seeing more of these images.