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John Miers, Fine Silhouette of a Lady in Veiled Headdress
Sold by Wigs on the Green
sold SA1094981
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
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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John Miers, Fine Silhouette of a Lady in Veiled Headdress

18th century
Sold 25 September 2024 · Wigs on the Green
This “John Miers, Fine Silhouette of a Lady in Veiled Headdress” 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.

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18th Century SilhouetteAntique Profile MiniatureBlack Paper Profile Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

This engaging profile was painted by John Miers during the late 1780s prior to his move to London. It was in 1781 that he established his first studio as a profilist in his home town of Leeds. He soon took to the road to seek fresh clientele in the northern cities of Newcastle, Manchester and Edinburgh, constantly refining his skill as evidenced by this fine example that shows a young lady wearing a décolleté dress, her long curls topped with an elegant veil secured with a ribbon bow.

Preferring as he did the simplicity and elegance of an unembellished profile, Miers painted on white plaster using a mixture of soot and beer. In this example he deliberately smudged the pigment on the headdress to create a soft smoky effect.

The silhouette is housed in the original pressed brass frame and is backed with an unbroken trade label (travelling label no. 8) promising ‘Perfect Likenesses’. Apart from light dust under the convex glass and a small area of discoloration to the plaster base by her forehead (really only visible upon close inspection or under magnification), the silhouette is in fine condition and will enhance any collection.

Framed Size: 120 x 100mm

Provenance: Acquired for the Christie Collection during the 1940s

Date of Manufacture

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

Physical Dimensions
Height
12cm (4.72")
Width
10cm (3.94")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1094981
Dealers Internal Reference
C516
Dealers Notes

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

Description
This engaging profile was painted by John Miers during the late 1780s prior to his move to London. It was in 1781 that he established his first studio as a profilist in his home town of Leeds. He soon took to the road to seek fresh clientele in the northern cities of Newcastle, Manchester and Edinburgh, constantly refining his skill as evidenced by this fine example that shows a young lady wearing a décolleté dress, her long curls topped with an elegant veil secured with a ribbon bow.
“
Preferring as he did the simplicity and elegance of an unembellished profile, Miers painted on white plaster using a mixture of soot and beer.
Wigs on the Green

In this example he deliberately smudged the pigment on the headdress to create a soft smoky effect.

fig 1. An oval brass-framed silhouette portrait showing the profile of a woman in a veiled headdress.
fig 1. John Miers, Fine Silhouette of a Lady in Veiled Headdress

The silhouette is housed in the original pressed brass frame and is backed with an unbroken trade label (travelling label no. 8) promising ‘Perfect Likenesses’. Apart from light dust under the convex glass and a small area of discoloration to the plaster base by her forehead (really only visible upon close inspection or under magnification), the silhouette is in fine condition and will enhance any collection.

Framed Size: 120 x 100mm

Provenance: Acquired for the Christie Collection during the 1940s

Date of Manufacture

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

Height
12cm (4.72")
Width
10cm (3.94")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1094981
Dealers Internal Ref
C516
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 brass-framed silhouette portrait showing the profile of a woman in a veiled headdress. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An oval brass-framed silhouette portrait showing the profile of a woman in a veiled headdress. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

John Miers, Fine Silhouette of a Lady in Veiled Headdress

Archive II An oval brass-framed silhouette portrait showing the profile of a woman in a veiled headdress. View II
Archive III An oval brass-framed silhouette portrait showing the profile of a woman in a veiled headdress. 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 brass-framed silhouette portrait showing the profile of a woman in a veiled headdress.
John Miers, Fine Silhouette of a Lady in Veiled Headdress
Ref: SA1094981
An oval brass-framed silhouette portrait showing the profile of a woman in a veiled headdress.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWall Art
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialBrass, Glass, Paper
  • ColourGold and Black
  • MotifsProfile view, Veiled headdress, Rope twist frame
  • SizeH 12 cm (5 in) x W 10 cm (4 in)

FAQs

A silhouette is a profile portrait cut from black paper or painted onto card, which reached the height of its popularity in Britain during the late 18th and early 19th centuries before the widespread availability of photography.

Traditional silhouettes typically feature fine paper cut-outs, reverse-painted glass, or plaster grounds, housed within protective wooden, brass, or papier-mache frames.

Authentic period pieces often exhibit genuine hand-cut edges, period-appropriate backing papers, hand-written artists trade labels on the reverse, and aged glass with natural imperfections.

These small-scale artworks look effective when grouped in a gallery wall arrangement alongside other framed miniature works or placed individually on narrow wall spaces and mantelpieces.

To prevent fading and degradation, silhouettes should be displayed away from direct sunlight, excessive moisture, and fluctuating temperatures.
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