Search 0
15,753  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 10 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
JOIN AS A SELLER DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
GIFTS
10 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 #SA1139349
SOLD
Email Phone
Save
John Miers Painted Silhouette, Circ 1788
Sold by Wigs on the Green
sold SA1139349
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Wigs on the Green

Wigs on the Green

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2020
Browse dealers 83 items
  • About Us
    Small portraiture of character & historical interest
↓ Relevant Links
Id #SA1139349
PDF SHARE
SAVE

John Miers Painted Silhouette, Circ 1788

18th century
Sold 2 May 2025 · Wigs on the Green
This “John Miers Painted Silhouette, Circ 1788” found a buyer.

It was listed by Wigs on the Green. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Find more for sale
18th Century ProfileAntique Painted SilhouetteBlack and White Portrait Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

The ‘most perfect likenesses’ were assured by John Miers, a master of his craft, who preferred the simplicity of a black profile without embellishment. Painted in a pigment made from pine-soot and small-beer, his black profiles contrast well against the white plaster base with costume details, such as this gentleman’s frilled cravat, achieved by thinning the pigment. The same technique has been used to add texture to his frizzed toupée and the ends of his bound pigtail.

The silhouette is set behind flat glass in the original brass-faced frae and is backed with the artist’s complete trade label no. 6 in use around 1788.

Miers first painted silhouettes in 1781 whilst working alongside his father in his paint preparation business in Leeds. Early success persuaded Miers to make profile painting his full-time career whereupon he travelled to numerous towns and cities to extend his clientele. In 1791 Miers moved to London where he set up what was to become a successful and long-running profile studio on the Strand.

Framed Size: 112 x 99mm

Provenance: The Christie Collection

Date of Manufacture

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

Physical Dimensions
Height
11cm (4.33")
Width
10cm (3.94")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1139349
Dealers Internal Reference
TC528
Dealers Notes

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

Description
The ‘most perfect likenesses’ were assured by John Miers, a master of his craft, who preferred the simplicity of a black profile without embellishment. Painted in a pigment made from pine-soot and small-beer, his black profiles contrast well against the white plaster base with costume details, such as this gentleman’s frilled cravat, achieved by thinning the pigment.
“
The same technique has been used to add texture to his frizzed toupée and the ends of his bound pigtail.
Wigs on the Green
fig 1. An oval framed portrait of a gentleman in profile rendered in black silhouette against a white background, set inside a decorative gilt brass frame.
fig 1. John Miers Painted Silhouette, Circ 1788

The silhouette is set behind flat glass in the original brass-faced frae and is backed with the artist’s complete trade label no. 6 in use around 1788.

Miers first painted silhouettes in 1781 whilst working alongside his father in his paint preparation business in Leeds. Early success persuaded Miers to make profile painting his full-time career whereupon he travelled to numerous towns and cities to extend his clientele. In 1791 Miers moved to London where he set up what was to become a successful and long-running profile studio on the Strand.

Framed Size: 112 x 99mm

Provenance: The Christie Collection

Date of Manufacture

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

Height
11cm (4.33")
Width
10cm (3.94")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1139349
Dealers Internal Ref
TC528
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 oval framed portrait of a gentleman in profile rendered in black silhouette against a white background, set inside a decorative gilt brass frame. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 3
Archive I An oval framed portrait of a gentleman in profile rendered in black silhouette against a white background, set inside a decorative gilt brass frame. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

John Miers Painted Silhouette, Circ 1788

Archive II An oval framed portrait of a gentleman in profile rendered in black silhouette against a white background, set inside a decorative gilt brass frame. View II
Archive III An oval framed portrait of a gentleman in profile rendered in black silhouette against a white background, set inside a decorative gilt brass frame. View III
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 83
Items Sold 319
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
83
Sold
319
An oval framed portrait of a gentleman in profile rendered in black silhouette against a white background, set inside a decorative gilt brass frame.
John Miers Painted Silhouette, circ 1788
Ref: SA1139349
An oval framed portrait of a gentleman in profile rendered in black silhouette against a white background, set inside a decorative gilt brass frame.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
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
  • ObjectFramed Wall Art
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialGilded brass, glass, card, pigment
  • ColourGold and Black
  • MotifsProfile view, Oval brass frame, Beaded border
  • SizeH 11 cm (4 in) x W 10 cm (4 in)

FAQs

A silhouette portrait from the Georgian era is a profile likeness painted or cut in black profile, highly popular before the widespread availability of photography in the 19th century.

These works were typically created using black pigment, India ink, or cut paper mounted on plaster, card, or ivory, and housed in brass, papier-mache, or wood frames.

Authenticity is assessed by examining the backing material, frame construction, brushwork under magnification, and historical trade labels often found on the reverse.

Historic silhouettes work effectively when grouped in gallery walls alongside modern abstract art or hung individually on narrow wall spaces to add historical depth and focal interest.

Preservation requires keeping the piece away from direct sunlight to prevent fading of the pigments and protecting it from high humidity to avoid mould and paper degradation.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories