15,710  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 10 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
GIFTS
10 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Sort Order
Items Per Page
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1160908
SOLD
Email Phone
Save
Character Pair of Gilded Silhouettes on Plaster
Sold by Wigs on the Green
sold SA1160908
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
Id #SA1160908
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Character Pair of Gilded Silhouettes on Plaster

19th century
Sold 20 September 2025 · Wigs on the Green
This “Character Pair of Gilded Silhouettes on Plaster” 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.

Description

These silhouettes are sure to raise a smile as they ooze character. Painted on plaster slabs, they are expertly gilded to emphasise the costume details. Both husband and wife (or siblings maybe) have prominent noses as well as double chins. The gentleman wears a double-breasted coat with a high collar and a distinctive lapel notch, his hair brushed in a curious swirl over his forehead. The lady meantime wears a wonderful peaked cap trimmed with ribbon; the ruff collar of her dress is visible under her tightly drawn shawl.

The silhouettes are unsigned. They may be by the hand of W. Bacon who painted silhouettes in this style but of whom nothing is known. They are housed in the original papier-mâché frames with convex glass and matching star hangers. Both silhouettes have charming unfinished watercolour sketches to the backing cards on the reverse.

Date of Manufacture

Wigs on the Green has dated this Pair of Silhouettes to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
12.5cm (4.92")
Width
10.5cm (4.13")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1160908
Dealers Internal Reference
6514
Dealers Notes

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

Description
These silhouettes are sure to raise a smile as they ooze character. Painted on plaster slabs, they are expertly gilded to emphasise the costume details. Both husband and wife (or siblings maybe) have prominent noses as well as double chins.
“
The gentleman wears a double-breasted coat with a high collar and a distinctive lapel notch, his hair brushed in a curious swirl over his forehead.
Wigs on the Green

The lady meantime wears a wonderful peaked cap trimmed with ribbon; the ruff collar of her dress is visible under her tightly drawn shawl.

fig 1. A pair of framed oval silhouette portraits featuring a man and a woman in profile, set against a black square backing with brass hanging rings.
fig 1. Character Pair of Gilded Silhouettes on Plaster

The silhouettes are unsigned. They may be by the hand of W. Bacon who painted silhouettes in this style but of whom nothing is known. They are housed in the original papier-mâché frames with convex glass and matching star hangers. Both silhouettes have charming unfinished watercolour sketches to the backing cards on the reverse.

Date of Manufacture

Wigs on the Green has dated this Pair of Silhouettes to the 19th Century.

Height
12.5cm (4.92")
Width
10.5cm (4.13")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1160908
Dealers Internal Ref
6514
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
A pair of framed oval silhouette portraits featuring a man and a woman in profile, set against a black square backing with brass hanging rings. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 6
Archive I A pair of framed oval silhouette portraits featuring a man and a woman in profile, set against a black square backing with brass hanging rings. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Character Pair of Gilded Silhouettes on Plaster

Archive II A pair of framed oval silhouette portraits featuring a man and a woman in profile, set against a black square backing with brass hanging rings. View II
Archive III A pair of framed oval silhouette portraits featuring a man and a woman in profile, set against a black square backing with brass hanging rings. View III
Archive IV A pair of framed oval silhouette portraits featuring a man and a woman in profile, set against a black square backing with brass hanging rings. View IV
Archive V A pair of framed oval silhouette portraits featuring a man and a woman in profile, set against a black square backing with brass hanging rings. View V
Archive VI A pair of framed oval silhouette portraits featuring a man and a woman in profile, set against a black square backing with brass hanging rings. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07962 257915
Location
York
Yorkshire
United Kingdom
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
Verified
May 2020
For Sale
83
Sold
319
A pair of framed oval silhouette portraits featuring a man and a woman in profile, set against a black square backing with brass hanging rings.
Character Pair of Gilded Silhouettes on Plaster
Ref: SA1160908
A pair of framed oval silhouette portraits featuring a man and a woman in profile, set against a black square backing with brass hanging rings.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail
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.
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.
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.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWall Art
  • Period19th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialPlaster, Glass, Brass, Wood
  • ColourBlack and Gold
  • MotifsProfile portraits, Gilded highlights, Oval brass bezels, Square backing frames
  • SizeH 12.5 cm (5 in) x W 10.5 cm (4 in)

Silhouette portraits gained immense popularity during the 18th and 19th centuries as an affordable alternative to painted miniatures, capturing profile likenesses before photography became widespread.

Authentic pieces often utilise plaster grounds, painted glass, papier-mache or wood frames, and brass or gilded accents for hanging mechanisms and bezels.

Authentication involves examining the backing materials, paper ageing, frame construction methods, and whether the profile is hand-painted, printed, or cut from paper.

They work effectively when grouped in gallery walls alongside modern frames or displayed individually on narrow wall spaces to add historical contrast and graphic interest.

Keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent fading, maintain stable indoor humidity levels, and avoid using liquid cleaners on the delicate glass or frames.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Period
Style
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Recently Added
Online Payments
Categories