Search 0
19,865  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 39 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
JOIN AS A SELLER DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
GIFTS
39 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Antiques dealer?
Join as a Seller
Sort Order
Items Per Page
sellingantiques.co.uk
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1127584
FOR SALE
£380
Email Phone Buy
Save
Miers Silhouette of a Gentleman, Oct. 1791
For sale by Wigs on the Green
for sale €445     $483
£380
Wigs on the Green

Wigs on the Green

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2020
Browse dealers 82 items
  • About Us
    Small portraiture of character & historical interest
↓ Relevant Links
Id #SA1127584
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Miers Silhouette of a Gentleman, Oct. 1791

18th century
Description

It was in mid-1791, the year of this profile, that John Miers moved from 168 Strand to a new studio at 111 Strand. He was to stay at this new address for the next thirty years, right up until his death in 1821. And it is here that his business thrived with everyone who was anyone sitting for him.

The silhouette shows a distinguished gentleman, facing right, wearing a buttoned-up coat, a frilled cravat and a wig with an exceptionally thin pigtail tied, as was the fashion, with a ribbon bow.

Preferring as he did the simplicity and elegance of an unembellished black profile, this ‘shade’ is painted on white plaster using a mixture of soot and beer to create a strong contrast. It is set in the original turned pearwood frame with a verre églomisé surround and is backed with the artist’s trade label no. 11 which is inscribed ‘October 1791’.

Framed Size: 180 x 152mm

Physical Dimensions
Height
18cm (7.09")
Width
15cm (5.91")
Declaration

Wigs on the Green has dated this Georgian Silhouette Portrait to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1127584
Dealers Internal Reference
AI800
Dealers Notes

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

Description
It was in mid-1791, the year of this profile, that John Miers moved from 168 Strand to a new studio at 111 Strand. He was to stay at this new address for the next thirty years, right up until his death in 1821. And it is here that his business thrived with everyone who was anyone sitting for him.
“
The silhouette shows a distinguished gentleman, facing right, wearing a buttoned-up coat, a frilled cravat and a wig with an exceptionally thin pigtail tied, as was the fashion, with a ribbon bow.
Wigs on the Green
fig 1. An 18th-century Georgian profile silhouette of a gentleman set in an oval surround with a gold laurel border, housed in a round ebonised wood frame.
fig 1. Miers Silhouette of a Gentleman, Oct. 1791

Preferring as he did the simplicity and elegance of an unembellished black profile, this ‘shade’ is painted on white plaster using a mixture of soot and beer to create a strong contrast. It is set in the original turned pearwood frame with a verre églomisé surround and is backed with the artist’s trade label no. 11 which is inscribed ‘October 1791’.

Framed Size: 180 x 152mm

Height
18cm (7.09")
Width
15cm (5.91")
Date of Manufacture

Wigs on the Green has dated this Georgian Silhouette Portrait to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1127584
Dealers Internal Ref
AI800
Wigs on the Green
Wigs on the Green
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2020

Small portraiture of character & historical interest

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Wigs on the Green Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
An 18th-century Georgian profile silhouette of a gentleman set in an oval surround with a gold laurel border, housed in a round ebonised wood frame.
1 / 4
Archive I An 18th-century Georgian profile silhouette of a gentleman set in an oval surround with a gold laurel border, housed in a round ebonised wood frame.

Miers Silhouette of a Gentleman, Oct. 1791

Archive II An 18th-century Georgian profile silhouette of a gentleman set in an oval surround with a gold laurel border, housed in a round ebonised wood frame. View II
Archive III An 18th-century Georgian profile silhouette of a gentleman set in an oval surround with a gold laurel border, housed in a round ebonised wood frame. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century Georgian profile silhouette of a gentleman set in an oval surround with a gold laurel border, housed in a round ebonised wood frame. View IV
Enlarged Archival View
Wigs on the Green

Wigs on the Green
Telephone 07962 257915
Location
York
Yorkshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/wigsonthegreen
Verified Since May 2020
Items For Sale 82
Items Sold 316
Wigs on the Green
Wigs on the Green
Verified Since May 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/wigsonthegreen
Verified
May 2020
For Sale
82
Sold
316
An 18th-century Georgian profile silhouette of a gentleman set in an oval surround with a gold laurel border, housed in a round ebonised wood frame.
Miers Silhouette of a Gentleman, Oct. 1791
Ref: SA1127584
An 18th-century Georgian profile silhouette of a gentleman set in an oval surround with a gold laurel border, housed in a round ebonised wood frame.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectPortrait Miniature
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialEbonised Wood, Glass, Gold Leaf, Paper
  • ColourBlack and Gold
  • MotifsGentleman profile, Laurel leaf border, Ebonised circular frame, Oval glass surround
  • SizeH 18 cm (7 in) x W 15 cm (6 in)

This 18th-century portrait miniature presents an authentic Georgian silhouette of a gentleman attributed to the renowned artist John Miers. Executed in October 1791, the piece depicts a male profile facing right, wearing a wig with a thin pigtail tied with a ribbon bow, a buttoned-up coat, and a frilled cravat. The portrait is painted on white plaster using a mixture of soot and beer, creating a black image set against a pale background. It is housed behind oval glass within an elaborate verre églomisé surround decorated with a gold leaf laurel leaf border. The entire composition sits within an original turned, circular ebonised wood frame displaying concentric ring mouldings and subtle signs of age to the dark finish. Measuring 18 cm high and 15 cm wide, the diminutive scale makes this artwork suited for display on a narrow wall space or within a gentleman's library. The compact framed object brings historical character to traditional interiors, hanging comfortably alongside other works of art on paper or small antiques. Its subdued palette of black and gold integrates well with period decor schemes, adding a focal point to intimate areas of the home.

FAQs

A silhouette portrait is a profile image popularised in the 18th and early 19th centuries, painted or cut to represent the outline of a subject, typically rendered in black pigment or plaster.

Artists traditionally painted onto plaster, paper, card, or glass using black Indian ink or soot pigments, frequently set inside turned ebonised wood frames with gilt brass surrounds.

Authentic Georgian silhouettes feature fine brushwork details in dilute ink or gold leaf to indicate hair and clothing texture, housed behind glass with period backing paper or trade labels.

Arrange silhouettes in gallery walls alongside antique engravings and small mirrors, or display a single piece on a easel within a bookcase or mantle display.

Position the portrait away from direct sunlight to avoid fading the paper or pigment, and maintain a dry environment to prevent moisture damage inside the sealed glass frame.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories