This well-finished silhouette conversation piece was created by the Royal Victoria Gallery during the mid 1840s, most likely whilst the Gallery were working either in Scotland or Ireland as evidenced by the style of the sitters� attire and the castle in the background. The little boy�s plaid dress and tartan socks may though point more towards Scotland. Each figure has been carefully cut, with Chinese white and gilding both used to good effect to bring out the costume details. The father has luxuriant whiskers and wears a bowler hat and knotted neck-tie, his over-full jacket pocket bulging out of shape. In his hand he holds a letter or bill which is possibly headed with the artist�s name �Frith�. The folds of the mother�s dress are particularly well depicted as too are the little girls� dresses and pretty curls.The background is painted in sepia watercolour with swags and a castle landscape. A remnant of a hand-written label reverse possibly names three of the children as Bridget (...