Antique Pair of Tempera on Board Portrait Paintings Gold Gilt Oval Wood Frame

Description

Description
:
Firstly, I am not an expert in art, I just buy pieces I think are interesting and fit my décor. These worked in NJ, but not at the new beach house. Now that I want to sell them, I've needed to talk to several period to get opinion on these pieces so I describe them accurately.
At first, I thought these pieces were prints. However, under magnification, there are no marks....either dots or brush strokes.
What one does see is extremely fine detail under magnification (especially around the eyes). So my art expert thinks it is tempera on board.
Next was to investigate age. The back has apparently never been off. It is held by wood caning and small nails. So after talking to a carpenter friend, we don't think these are as old as the pictures depict...a man and woman in colonial dress. The thinking was that they could have been done for the US centennial...more like 1880s than 1780s.
Also note the back of the board.  I don't know if the painting is directly on that board if if that back board is just a backing.
The portraits rather look like Martha and Thomas Jefferson...albeit at a young age.
The frames are 13,65” x 12”. The art is 8.5” x 10.5”.
The frames are wood with a covering of gesso with gilding, probably gold leaf.
I don't see a signature, and I haven't taken the pieces out of the frame to find one.
Condition
: .
I have not cleaned the pictures. Please note that there is a mark on the top left of “Jefferson's” head (see close-up photo).
On “Martha's” figure, I see a white speck and some shadowing marks on the dark paint (see closeups).
The frames are not perfect....I highlight a few chips I see where the gesso can be seen.
Please review all photos as it is part of the overall description.
I apologize ahead of time for the cost of shipping. I only ship USPS Priority insured. USPS does a better job with getting deliveries done safely.
Because of the nature of this particular listing, although I do offer a return policy, I will only refund the price of the paintings and not any shipping costs to you.
As I have already noted, I am not an art expert so please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.