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John Jolliffe Silhouette of Mrs Miller 1791
Sold by Wigs on the Green
sold SA1177628
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Wigs on the Green

Wigs on the Green

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2020
Browse dealers 83 items
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    Small portraiture of character & historical interest
Id #SA1177628
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John Jolliffe Silhouette of Mrs Miller 1791

18th century
Sold 11 November 2025 · Wigs on the Green
This “John Jolliffe Silhouette of Mrs Miller 1791” 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

Dated 1791, this half-length silhouette is striking for its costume detailing. The profile is reverse painted on flat glass with the details subsequently scratched out using a needle. The sitter, named on the reverse as Mrs Miller, wears a narrow-waisted gown with an embroidered bodice and ¾-length sleeves with stiff frills on the elbows. Her upswept hair is styled in a chignon and topped with a soft-crowned indoor cap trimmed with a double frill and ribbons.

The silhouette is backed with ivory silk and is housed in its original turned wood frame. The frame has an old crack (possibly as old as the silhouette itself) and old losses to the outside rim all of which just adds to the honest charm of the piece.

A bookseller by trade, John Jolliffe (1734-1804) was based in St James’ Street, London. It was claimed that he took ‘profiles with a candle better than anyone’ and indeed examples of his work have always and continue to be prized by collectors.

Framed Size: 140 x 114mm

Date of Manufacture

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

Physical Dimensions
Height
14cm (5.51")
Width
11cm (4.33")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1177628
Dealers Internal Reference
7758
Dealers Notes

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

Description
Dated 1791, this half-length silhouette is striking for its costume detailing.
“
The profile is reverse painted on flat glass with the details subsequently scratched out using a needle.
Wigs on the Green

The sitter, named on the reverse as Mrs Miller, wears a narrow-waisted gown with an embroidered bodice and ¾-length sleeves with stiff frills on the elbows. Her upswept hair is styled in a chignon and topped with a soft-crowned indoor cap trimmed with a double frill and ribbons.

fig 1. An oval framed Georgian silhouette portrait depicting a woman in profile wearing a bonnet.
fig 1. John Jolliffe Silhouette of Mrs Miller 1791

The silhouette is backed with ivory silk and is housed in its original turned wood frame. The frame has an old crack (possibly as old as the silhouette itself) and old losses to the outside rim all of which just adds to the honest charm of the piece.

fig 2. An oval framed Georgian silhouette portrait depicting a woman in profile wearing a bonnet.
fig 2. John Jolliffe Silhouette of Mrs Miller 1791

A bookseller by trade, John Jolliffe (1734-1804) was based in St James’ Street, London. It was claimed that he took ‘profiles with a candle better than anyone’ and indeed examples of his work have always and continue to be prized by collectors.

Framed Size: 140 x 114mm

Date of Manufacture

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

Height
14cm (5.51")
Width
11cm (4.33")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1177628
Dealers Internal Ref
7758
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 framed Georgian silhouette portrait depicting a woman in profile wearing a bonnet. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An oval framed Georgian silhouette portrait depicting a woman in profile wearing a bonnet. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

John Jolliffe Silhouette of Mrs Miller 1791

Archive II An oval framed Georgian silhouette portrait depicting a woman in profile wearing a bonnet. View II
Archive III An oval framed Georgian silhouette portrait depicting a woman in profile wearing a bonnet. View III
Archive IV An oval framed Georgian silhouette portrait depicting a woman in profile wearing a bonnet. View IV
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
An oval framed Georgian silhouette portrait depicting a woman in profile wearing a bonnet.
John Jolliffe Silhouette of Mrs Miller 1791
Ref: SA1177628
An oval framed Georgian silhouette portrait depicting a woman in profile wearing a bonnet.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • Object[Wall Art]
  • Period18th century
  • Style[Georgian]
  • Material[Paper, Wood, Glass]
  • Colour[Black, Cream]
  • MotifsProfile portrait, Hollow cut detailing, Oval wooden frame
  • SizeH 14 cm (6 in) x W 11 cm (4 in)

A silhouette portrait from the Georgian era is a profile likeness cut from black paper or painted on card, popular before the advent of widespread photography as an affordable way to capture a persons likeness.

Traditional silhouettes typically utilised black paper, card, or glass, mounted onto a contrasting light background and housed within timber frames, often made of pearwood or papier-mache.

Authenticity is assessed by examining the ageing of the paper, the hand-cut edges under magnification, the type of glass, and the construction of the frame, which often features period-appropriate backing materials and fastenings.

Antique silhouettes work exceptionally well when grouped together in a gallery wall arrangement or placed individually on narrow wall spaces to add historical depth and monochromatic contrast to modern decor.

Paper silhouettes must be protected from direct sunlight to prevent fading and yellowing, kept away from high humidity to avoid mould or foxing, and glazed with UV-protective glass when possible.
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