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ID #SA1242746
FOR SALE
£340
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Houghton & Bruce Double-sided Silhouette
For sale by Wigs on the Green
for sale €398     $432
£340
Wigs on the Green

Wigs on the Green

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2020
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    Small portraiture of character & historical interest
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Id #SA1242746
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Houghton & Bruce Double-sided Silhouette

18th century
Description

A Double Take ~ Manner of Houghton & Bruce

This stylish (and presumably married) couple will never be separated as they are housed in a double-sided locket. Painted on card in black and shades of grey, the gentleman wears a pigtail wig ending in a wispy curl and tied with a ribbon bow. The lady has a head of tumbling curls that fall down her back and are decorated with ribbon.

Stylistically these profiles share traits with the work of Samuel Houghton though there are no other examples of his work on card. His apprenctice George Bruce who took over the running of Houghton’s studio around 1792 is likely to have completed work in this medium. It may also be the case that he painted these copies from original Houghton profiles on plaster or ivory.

In fine condition, the profiles are presented in a double-sided gold-plated locket frame.

Framed Size: 55 x 44mm

Provenance: Acquired for the Christie Collection from Perkins in 1948 for £12 10s

Date of Manufacture

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

Physical Dimensions
Height
5.5cm (2.17")
Width
4cm (1.57")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1242746
Dealers Internal Reference
C547
Dealers Notes

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

Description
A Double Take ~ Manner of Houghton & Bruce
“
This stylish (and presumably married) couple will never be separated as they are housed in a double-sided locket.
Wigs on the Green

Painted on card in black and shades of grey, the gentleman wears a pigtail wig ending in a wispy curl and tied with a ribbon bow. The lady has a head of tumbling curls that fall down her back and are decorated with ribbon.

fig 1. A double-sided oval gold pendant containing two Georgian black painted silhouette profile portraits of a man and a woman set against off-white paper backgrounds.
fig 1. Houghton & Bruce Double-sided Silhouette

Stylistically these profiles share traits with the work of Samuel Houghton though there are no other examples of his work on card. His apprenctice George Bruce who took over the running of Houghton’s studio around 1792 is likely to have completed work in this medium. It may also be the case that he painted these copies from original Houghton profiles on plaster or ivory.

In fine condition, the profiles are presented in a double-sided gold-plated locket frame.

Framed Size: 55 x 44mm

Provenance: Acquired for the Christie Collection from Perkins in 1948 for £12 10s

Date of Manufacture

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

Height
5.5cm (2.17")
Width
4cm (1.57")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1242746
Dealers Internal Ref
C547
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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A double-sided oval gold pendant containing two Georgian black painted silhouette profile portraits of a man and a woman set against off-white paper backgrounds.
1 / 5
Archive I A double-sided oval gold pendant containing two Georgian black painted silhouette profile portraits of a man and a woman set against off-white paper backgrounds.

Houghton & Bruce Double-sided Silhouette

Archive II A double-sided oval gold pendant containing two Georgian black painted silhouette profile portraits of a man and a woman set against off-white paper backgrounds. View II
Archive III A double-sided oval gold pendant containing two Georgian black painted silhouette profile portraits of a man and a woman set against off-white paper backgrounds. View III
Archive IV A double-sided oval gold pendant containing two Georgian black painted silhouette profile portraits of a man and a woman set against off-white paper backgrounds. View IV
Archive V A double-sided oval gold pendant containing two Georgian black painted silhouette profile portraits of a man and a woman set against off-white paper backgrounds. View V
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 317
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
317
A double-sided oval gold pendant containing two Georgian black painted silhouette profile portraits of a man and a woman set against off-white paper backgrounds.
Houghton & Bruce Double-Sided Silhouette
Ref: SA1242746
A double-sided oval gold pendant containing two Georgian black painted silhouette profile portraits of a man and a woman set against off-white paper backgrounds.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSilhouette Miniature
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialGold, Glass, Paper, Ink
  • ColourGold, Black
  • MotifsProfile silhouettes, Oval gilt bezel, Double-sided framing, Suspension loop
  • SizeH 5.5 cm (2 in) x W 4 cm (2 in)

This Georgian double-sided silhouette miniature comes in the style of Houghton and Bruce from the 18th century, presenting profile portraits of a man and a woman rendered in black and shades of grey on off-white paper. The profiles sit inside an oval gilt bezel with a polished gold finish, protected beneath curved glass and fitted with a narrow vertical suspension loop at the top. The gentleman wears a pigtail wig tied with a ribbon bow, while the lady features tumbling curls falling down her back decorated with ribbon. The frame displays warm metallic reflections across its rounded edge and a slight surface tarnish around the brass-toned mount. Measuring 5.5 cm high by 4 cm wide, the locket is designed to hang freely from a chain or ribbon around the neck as personal adornment.

FAQs

A Georgian silhouette portrait is a shadow profile image painted or cut from dark material, representing a sitters side profile prior to the invention of photography.

These lockets were constructed using gilt-brass or gold mounts, thin glass lenses, and paper or plaster bases painted with black pigment and detailed watercolour accents.

Authentic pieces exhibit hand-painted hair detailing, period attire such as cravats or bonnets, natural paper age toning, and occasionally trade labels from artists on the reverse.

Small silhouette pendants can be mounted inside a framed shadow box, arranged within a glazed cabinet of curiosities, or displayed on a tabletop stand alongside period metalwork.

Keep silhouettes out of direct sunlight and moisture to prevent paper discolouration, and clean the external glass and metal frame using a soft dry cloth without abrasive chemicals.
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