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ID #SA1165959
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J. W. Thomson, Silhouette Pendant
Sold by Wigs on the Green
sold SA1165959
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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Id #SA1165959
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J. W. Thomson, Silhouette Pendant

18th century
Sold 16 September 2025 · Wigs on the Green
This “J. W. Thomson, Silhouette Pendant” 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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Antique Collector ItemAntique Jewellery PieceBlack and White Portrait Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

This is the only recorded silhouette portrait to be painted by William John Thomson. It depicts a professional gentleman in a ‘physical wig’ wearing a coat with large buttons. It is set in a gold pendant frame with a studded border, the reverse with the artist’s trade label from 212 Piccadilly, London. This label has also been recorded on a miniature portrait.

Indeed Thomson is better known for painting portrait miniatures. Born in Georgia, USA around 1771, he moved to Edinburgh with his family following the American Revolution. He exhibited miniatures from 1795 but did not enter the Royal Academy Schools until 1808. Married to a Scottish lady, he subsequently returned to Edinburgh becoming a member of the RSA. He is said to have declined the honour of a knighthood.

Size: 33 x 25mm

Provenance: Acquired for the Christie Collection in 1937 from ‘Polly’ Perkins

Literature: McKechnie p.691, illus. p.703

APHA Registration: 7Q47HVA9

Date of Manufacture

Wigs on the Green has dated this Antique Silhouette Pendant to the 18th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
3cm (1.18")
Width
2.5cm (0.98")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1165959
Dealers Internal Reference
C506
Dealers Notes

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

Description
This is the only recorded silhouette portrait to be painted by William John Thomson. It depicts a professional gentleman in a ‘physical wig’ wearing a coat with large buttons.
“
It is set in a gold pendant frame with a studded border, the reverse with the artist’s trade label from 212 Piccadilly, London.
Wigs on the Green

This label has also been recorded on a miniature portrait.

fig 1. An oval antique pendant featuring a hand-painted black profile silhouette of a person facing left inside a beaded metal frame.
fig 1. J. W. Thomson, Silhouette Pendant

Indeed Thomson is better known for painting portrait miniatures. Born in Georgia, USA around 1771, he moved to Edinburgh with his family following the American Revolution. He exhibited miniatures from 1795 but did not enter the Royal Academy Schools until 1808. Married to a Scottish lady, he subsequently returned to Edinburgh becoming a member of the RSA. He is said to have declined the honour of a knighthood.

Size: 33 x 25mm

Provenance: Acquired for the Christie Collection in 1937 from ‘Polly’ Perkins

Literature: McKechnie p.691, illus. p.703

APHA Registration: 7Q47HVA9

Date of Manufacture

Wigs on the Green has dated this Antique Silhouette Pendant to the 18th Century.

Height
3cm (1.18")
Width
2.5cm (0.98")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1165959
Dealers Internal Ref
C506
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 antique pendant featuring a hand-painted black profile silhouette of a person facing left inside a beaded metal frame. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 3
Archive I An oval antique pendant featuring a hand-painted black profile silhouette of a person facing left inside a beaded metal frame. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

J. W. Thomson, Silhouette Pendant

Archive II An oval antique pendant featuring a hand-painted black profile silhouette of a person facing left inside a beaded metal frame. View II
Archive III An oval antique pendant featuring a hand-painted black profile silhouette of a person facing left inside a beaded metal frame. 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 antique pendant featuring a hand-painted black profile silhouette of a person facing left inside a beaded metal frame.
J. W. Thomson, Silhouette Pendant
Ref: SA1165959
An oval antique pendant featuring a hand-painted black profile silhouette of a person facing left inside a beaded metal frame.
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
  • ObjectPendants & Brooches
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian / Victorian
  • MaterialMetal, Glass, Painted Pigment
  • ColourBlack and White
  • MotifsProfile portrait, Beaded frame, Oval bezel
  • SizeH 3 cm (1 in) x W 2.5 cm (1 in)

FAQs

A silhouette pendant is a piece of wearable art featuring a profile portrait, popular in the 18th and 19th centuries before the widespread adoption of photography.

These items were typically crafted using metals such as silver or gold-plated brass, glass or ivory bases, and hand-painted or cut paper profiles.

Authenticity is generally determined by examining the framing techniques, backings, artist signatures, material ageing, and hand-cut precision or pigment application of the profile.

They are frequently displayed within shadow boxes on gallery walls, placed inside glass tabletop display cases, or worn as statement historical jewellery.

They should be stored away from direct sunlight and high humidity, cleaned only with a dry microfibre cloth, and kept free from harsh chemical polishes.
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