COMPLETED: Photograph for dating only please

[nika]

Dear all,
I'd be very grateful for your thoughts on the age of this photograph.
It is studio posed (I've also attached a scan of the reverse), card mounted, sepia, with square corners. It measures approx 6.5cm x 10cm (2.5" x 4").
I think it may have been taken in the 1820s or 1830s.

The people in the photo could be:
The adult on the right - Ann Holford, previously Philpott, nee Fryer 1794-1871 and three of her daughters, either:  Ann born 1817, Caroline b 1821, Elizabeth b 1822, Hannah b 1824, Eliza 1830, Amelia 1834, or Mary b 1836.

Any thoughts would be very welcome.
Nika

[chinakay]

Late 1860s and very inventive for the time...a posed family group rather than an individual or a couple, with a backdrop!

There's usually a floor blooper somewhere in 1860s photography, and in this one it's a bit of the rug kicked up

Cheers,
China

[nika]

Thanks Chinakay, how interesting! I hadn't even noticed the kicked up rug before.
If its 1860s its not the people I thought it could be 
Nika

[jim1]

Have to disagree.1870's.The back is a mid- decade design.
The Polonaise style overskirt is also 1870's.
At least one of the little ones is a boy.
jim

[nika]

Thank you Jim1.
Could you tell me how you can you tell that one of the little ones is a boy? I know little boys were dressed much the same as girls but it would be interesting to know for this particular photo what leads you to say that.
Nika

[jim1]

The one on the right.
His hairstyle is a bit of a givaway.It was common with boys to curl the hair on top of the head only giving this look.

jim

[PrueM]

I think it may have been taken in the 1820s or 1830s.

Not possible I'm afraid - photography (of this sort anyway) hadn't been invented yet 

I agree with the dating estimates heretofore given by the experts 

[nika]

Thank you Jim and Prue - I've learned two new things! 
Nika

[jim1]

3 things actually...you are now aware there's such a word as heretofore..sounds like a Bushism to me.