English woman, big hair, big lace, big jewelry
Click here to view it larger.
Click here to view the back.
What it is:
Carte de visite (CDV) measuring 2.5 x 4 inches.
What I know about it:
Photographer is W. & D. Downey of Newcastle-on-Tyne and London, England. [I believe their primary operation was in London, but I can’t be sure where this photo was taken.] Otherwise undated and unidentified.
Comments:
Everything about her seems to be making a statement, and she seems quite confident with it all. Click on the link above to view the back, which includes the insignia for various Royal Warrants. This photo was one of several that came in a batch from eBay, all CDVs of women, most of which had some sort of Royal Warrant or other. It feels like such an illustrious bunch. W. & D. Downey, the particular photographers here, were prominent enough to have their own Wikipedia page.
Pics of Then 
My god, that’s a hairdo. She must have been very wealthy; the dress looks spend as all get out.
Yes, it’s a rather impressive ensemble, isn’t it?