John Field Gilded Silhouette

19th century

Sold by Wigs on the Green

Description

Painted on a white plaster base, this profile shows a lady wearing an empire-line dress with a frilled collar fill-in accessorised with a pretty close-fitting cap known as a Prussian Helmet decorated with a posy resting on the curls over her forehead.

The silhouette has been neatly bronzed by the master profilist John Field who worked alongside John Miers in his studio on The Strand. Theirs was a partnership and friendship of longstanding that continued until Miers died in 1821. The business was then willed jointly to Field and Miers’s son, William, but the dynamics had clearly been altered too much as within a few years the business filed for bankruptcy. Field continued to paint profiles during the 1830s but from a studio that he now shared with his own son.

The silhouette is presented in the original papier-mâché frame with convex glass, a decorative surround and ormolu leaf hanger. These frames were made exclusively for the business by John Miers’ son, William. An unbroken trade label (no. 11) remains on the reverse.

Framed Size: 148 x 123mm

Provenance: UK Private Collection

Physical Dimensions

Height

15cm (5.91")

Width

12cm (4.72")

Declaration

Wigs on the Green has dated this piece to the Regency era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1123780

Dealers Internal Reference

TS9038

Dealers Notes

All prices include UK postage. International shipping will be at cost.

Description

“

The silhouette has been neatly bronzed by the master profilist John Field who worked alongside John Miers in his studio on The Strand.

Wigs on the Green

Theirs was a partnership and friendship of longstanding that continued until Miers died in 1821. The business was then willed jointly to Field and Miers’s son, William, but the dynamics had clearly been altered too much as within a few years the business filed for bankruptcy. Field continued to paint profiles during the 1830s but from a studio that he now shared with his own son.

The silhouette is presented in the original papier-mâché frame with convex glass, a decorative surround and ormolu leaf hanger. These frames were made exclusively for the business by John Miers’ son, William. An unbroken trade label (no. 11) remains on the reverse.

Framed Size: 148 x 123mm

Provenance: UK Private Collection