Curious c. 1870s Baby Portrait with (Hidden Mother’s?) Hand, T.S. Estabrook, Brooklyn Ferrotype  chart but whoever it was certainly

but whoever it was certainly knew what they were doing

specifically

The rectangular base features a round platform for a candle

especially the smiling baby in crib with rattle in hand in this one

Curious c. 1870s Baby Portrait with (Hidden Mother’s?) Hand, T.S. Estabrook, Brooklyn Ferrotype  chart but whoever it was certainlyI keep an eye out for hidden mother portraits antique photos in which the mother of a young child is present, unusually in order to prop up or comfort the child, but either veiled (often in the most wonderfully absurd ways) or only partially in the frame. Here I assume it is the mother's hand and arm at upper left, clutching what appear to be a few flowers and I'n not sure what all. On the other hand, this child does not look especially full of life,