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Hollow-cut Silhouette by Sarah Harrington
Sold by Wigs on the Green
sold SA1194355
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
Id #SA1194355
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Hollow-cut Silhouette by Sarah Harrington

18th century
Sold 8 February 2026 · Wigs on the Green
This “Hollow-cut Silhouette by Sarah Harrington” 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

The lady in this hollow-cut silhouette is identified on the reverse as Mrs Hawkins née Ann Colborne. She is depicted here wearing a ruff collar with her hair drawn back in a plaited knot.

The eldest of two daughters, Ann was born in Chippenham in 1752 to Joseph Colborne and Jane Wastfield. She was just three years old when her mother died. In 1779, aged 27, Ann married John Hawkins and with him had three sons and a daughter, the youngest born a few months after her husband’s early death. Ann herself was 71 when died in 1823.

The silhouette is presented in the original ebonised frame with a crenellated inner border and is in fine untouched condition.

Active between 1772 and 1787, Sarah Harrington specialised in ‘hollow-cut’ silhouettes where the profile was cut out of white paper but it was the surrounding paper that was retained and backed with either black paper or silk. Having taken up silhouette cutting in later life, Mrs Harrington successfully patented her method of producing profiles in 1775. She regularly went on tour attracting a steady clientele. As a well-educated lady herself, she advocated the education of women even giving geography lessons to young ladies.

Framed Size: 105 x 95mm

Date of Manufacture

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

Physical Dimensions
Height
10.5cm (4.13")
Width
9.5cm (3.74")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1194355
Dealers Internal Reference
4047
Dealers Notes

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

Description
The lady in this hollow-cut silhouette is identified on the reverse as Mrs Hawkins née Ann Colborne. She is depicted here wearing a ruff collar with her hair drawn back in a plaited knot.
“
The eldest of two daughters, Ann was born in Chippenham in 1752 to Joseph Colborne and Jane Wastfield.
Wigs on the Green

She was just three years old when her mother died. In 1779, aged 27, Ann married John Hawkins and with him had three sons and a daughter, the youngest born a few months after her husband’s early death. Ann herself was 71 when died in 1823.

fig 1. An oval antique hollow-cut silhouette portrait of a woman in profile, enclosed within a dark wooden frame with a gilded inner bezel.
fig 1. Hollow-cut Silhouette by Sarah Harrington

The silhouette is presented in the original ebonised frame with a crenellated inner border and is in fine untouched condition.

Active between 1772 and 1787, Sarah Harrington specialised in ‘hollow-cut’ silhouettes where the profile was cut out of white paper but it was the surrounding paper that was retained and backed with either black paper or silk. Having taken up silhouette cutting in later life, Mrs Harrington successfully patented her method of producing profiles in 1775. She regularly went on tour attracting a steady clientele. As a well-educated lady herself, she advocated the education of women even giving geography lessons to young ladies.

Framed Size: 105 x 95mm

Date of Manufacture

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

Height
10.5cm (4.13")
Width
9.5cm (3.74")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1194355
Dealers Internal Ref
4047
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 hollow-cut silhouette portrait of a woman in profile, enclosed within a dark wooden frame with a gilded inner bezel. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An oval antique hollow-cut silhouette portrait of a woman in profile, enclosed within a dark wooden frame with a gilded inner bezel. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Hollow-cut Silhouette by Sarah Harrington

Archive II An oval antique hollow-cut silhouette portrait of a woman in profile, enclosed within a dark wooden frame with a gilded inner bezel. View II
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 antique hollow-cut silhouette portrait of a woman in profile, enclosed within a dark wooden frame with a gilded inner bezel.
Hollow-Cut Silhouette by Sarah Harrington
Ref: SA1194355
An oval antique hollow-cut silhouette portrait of a woman in profile, enclosed within a dark wooden frame with a gilded inner bezel.
Detail View 1
Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWall Art
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialPaper, Wood, Brass, Glass
  • ColourBlack
  • MotifsProfile portrait, Oval frame, Hollow-cut paper, Gilded inner border
  • SizeH 10.5 cm (4 in) x W 9.5 cm (4 in)

A hollow-cut silhouette is a portrait created by cutting the profile out of a piece of paper or card, which is then typically placed over a dark background to make the image stand out.

Traditional materials include fine wove paper, card, ink, watercolour, and occasionally black silk, housed within wooden, papier-mache, or brass frames.

Authenticity is often determined by examining the paper fibres under magnification, checking for period-appropriate framing materials like convex glass or turned wood, and identifying maker signatures or tax stamps on the backing.

Silhouettes look effective when grouped together in a gallery wall arrangement on a narrow wall space or displayed singly as a focal point against patterned wallpaper.

Paper silhouettes should be kept away from direct sunlight and high humidity to prevent fading and foxing, and should ideally be framed with UV-protective glass.
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