Is this an early 1860s Hughan family momento mori photograph?

[Maiden Stone]

I agree with Carol.

I looked at this last night and thought that the eyes still looked alive, albeit sad and sick-looking. Also,I don't think you could get a corpse to sit in that position without lots of props or being held up by another person.

Gadget

The chair-back has only a horizontal bar. Looks insufficient support as an anchor imho. I know little about this topic.

[Gadget]

The chair-back has only a horizontal bar. Looks insufficient support as an anchor imho.

Exactly.

[River Tyne Lass]

I am no expert in this area, but could that be a person behind her under a dark cover?  Book seems to be held by a hand under the cover at one side.

Facial expression - especially eyes - appear to have a lifeless quality to me.

[Maiden Stone]

I am no expert in this area, but could that be a person behind her under a dark cover?  Book seems to be held by a hand under the cover at one side.

Facial expression - especially eyes - appear to have a lifeless quality to me.

It's a table.
She was apparently not a well woman. She looks careworn.

[Treetotal]

I am no expert in this area, but could that be a person behind her under a dark cover?  Book seems to be held by a hand under the cover at one side.

Facial expression - especially eyes - appear to have a lifeless quality to me.

It's not a cover, it's her sleeve and the ribbon from her hat is coming down behind her shoulder.
Carol