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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA1146257
FOR SALE
£325
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Silhouette on Plaster by John Miers, Circa 1786
Wigs on the Green
for sale €380     $413
£325
Wigs on the Green

Wigs on the Green

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    Small portraiture of character & historical interest
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Silhouette on Plaster by John Miers, Circa 1786

18th century
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 the frizzed ends of his bound pigtail.

The silhouette is set behind old flat glass in the original brass-faced frame and is backed with the artist’s complete trade label no. 6 in use around 1786. There is light dust under the glass and a couple of specks of plaster towards the bottom edge; the rippling effect bottom right is caused by the lovely old glass.

Miers first painted silhouettes in 1781 whilst working alongside his father in a 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.

(show less)

Item Ref. C531

Framed Size: 120 x 99mm

PROVENANCE: The Christie Collection

LITERATURE: British Silhouette Artists and the Work 1760-1860 illus. p. 657

Physical Dimensions
Height
12cm (4.72")
Width
10cm (3.94")
Declaration

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

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1146257
Dealers Internal Reference
C531
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 the frizzed ends of his bound pigtail.
“
The silhouette is set behind old flat glass in the original brass-faced frame and is backed with the artist’s complete trade label no.
Wigs on the Green

6 in use around 1786. There is light dust under the glass and a couple of specks of plaster towards the bottom edge; the rippling effect bottom right is caused by the lovely old glass.

fig 1. An oval gilt brass framed Georgian profile silhouette portrait of a gentleman painted in black pigment on a light plaster background.
fig 1. Silhouette on Plaster by John Miers, Circa 1786

Miers first painted silhouettes in 1781 whilst working alongside his father in a 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.

(show less)

Item Ref. C531

Framed Size: 120 x 99mm

PROVENANCE: The Christie Collection

LITERATURE: British Silhouette Artists and the Work 1760-1860 illus. p. 657

Height
12cm (4.72")
Width
10cm (3.94")
Date of Manufacture

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

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1146257
Dealers Internal Ref
C531
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

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An oval gilt brass framed Georgian profile silhouette portrait of a gentleman painted in black pigment on a light plaster background.
1 / 2
Archive I An oval gilt brass framed Georgian profile silhouette portrait of a gentleman painted in black pigment on a light plaster background.

Silhouette on Plaster by John Miers, circa 1786

Archive II An oval gilt brass framed Georgian profile silhouette portrait of a gentleman painted in black pigment on a light plaster background. View II
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 86
Items Sold 300
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
86
Sold
300
An oval gilt brass framed Georgian profile silhouette portrait of a gentleman painted in black pigment on a light plaster background.
Silhouette on Plaster by John Miers, circa 1786
Ref: SA1146257
An oval gilt brass framed Georgian profile silhouette portrait of a gentleman painted in black pigment on a light plaster background.
Detail View 1
Archival Detail

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FAQs

Popular in late 18th-century Britain, these micro-portraits feature shadow profiles painted directly onto a smooth plaster or composition surface to achieve fine detail.

Profilists painted black shade profile likenesses onto plaster ground, often detailing subtle features like transparent lace with wash, mounted under glass inside cast frames.

Authentic works by notable Georgian profilists typically feature soft grey dilution detailing in hair or cravats, plaster base support, and frequently retain original trade labels on the reverse.

Displaying clustered groupings of oval framed miniatures on a gallery wall creates focal interest while pairing classic historical art with contemporary decor.

Keep miniature plaster portraits away from direct sunlight and humid environments, maintaining sealed frames to prevent dust ingress and moisture damage to the plaster support.
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