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ID #SA1244492
FOR SALE
£1,000
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John Miers Family Group of Silhouettes with Trade Labels
For sale by Wigs on the Green
for sale €1,170     $1,270
£1,000
Wigs on the Green

Wigs on the Green

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2020
Browse dealers 86 items
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    Small portraiture of character & historical interest
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John Miers Family Group of Silhouettes with Trade Labels

18th century
Description

It is rare nowadays to find a set of family portraits that have been preserved together, especially when the family name and details have not been recorded. But this family group of mother, father and their three grown-up children have beaten the odds most likely helped by having been held in a private collection of silhouettes since 1915. Hopefully they will continue to stay together as a family group for the foreseeable.

The profiles are painted on plaster by the masterful John Miers of the Strand who preferred the simplicity and elegance of a black profile without embellishment. Dating to around 1800, the three ladies are similarly styled, their dresses with frilled necklines and their hair curled and upswept whilst father and son are barely indistinguishable from each other. The profiles are set in their original frames with verre églomisé surrounds, each frame backed with the artist’s trade label no. 11 which was in use between 1791 and 1809. One frame (that of the mother) has some loss to the inner raised border between 3 and 5 o’clock. A couple of them are slightly loose within their frame but are still secure enough to hang safely.

Framed Sizes: approx. 162 x 132mm

Provenance: Acquired for the Christie Collection in 1915

Date of Manufacture

Wigs on the Green has dated these John Miers Silhouette Portraits to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1244492
Dealers Internal Reference
C552
Dealers Notes

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

Description
It is rare nowadays to find a set of family portraits that have been preserved together, especially when the family name and details have not been recorded.
“
But this family group of mother, father and their three grown-up children have beaten the odds most likely helped by having been held in a private collection of silhouettes since 1915.
Wigs on the Green

Hopefully they will continue to stay together as a family group for the foreseeable.

fig 1. A set of five Georgian ebonised square frames with gilt oval mounts containing monochrome profile silhouette portraits.
fig 1. John Miers Family Group of Silhouettes with Trade Labels

The profiles are painted on plaster by the masterful John Miers of the Strand who preferred the simplicity and elegance of a black profile without embellishment. Dating to around 1800, the three ladies are similarly styled, their dresses with frilled necklines and their hair curled and upswept whilst father and son are barely indistinguishable from each other. The profiles are set in their original frames with verre églomisé surrounds, each frame backed with the artist’s trade label no. 11 which was in use between 1791 and 1809. One frame (that of the mother) has some loss to the inner raised border between 3 and 5 o’clock. A couple of them are slightly loose within their frame but are still secure enough to hang safely.

Framed Sizes: approx. 162 x 132mm

Provenance: Acquired for the Christie Collection in 1915

Date of Manufacture

Wigs on the Green has dated these John Miers Silhouette Portraits to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1244492
Dealers Internal Ref
C552
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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A set of five Georgian ebonised square frames with gilt oval mounts containing monochrome profile silhouette portraits.
1 / 7
Archive I A set of five Georgian ebonised square frames with gilt oval mounts containing monochrome profile silhouette portraits.

John Miers Family Group of Silhouettes with Trade Labels

Archive II A set of five Georgian ebonised square frames with gilt oval mounts containing monochrome profile silhouette portraits. View II
Archive III A set of five Georgian ebonised square frames with gilt oval mounts containing monochrome profile silhouette portraits. View III
Archive IV A set of five Georgian ebonised square frames with gilt oval mounts containing monochrome profile silhouette portraits. View IV
Archive V A set of five Georgian ebonised square frames with gilt oval mounts containing monochrome profile silhouette portraits. View V
Archive VI A set of five Georgian ebonised square frames with gilt oval mounts containing monochrome profile silhouette portraits. View VI
Archive VII A set of five Georgian ebonised square frames with gilt oval mounts containing monochrome profile silhouette portraits. View VII
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 86
Items Sold 320
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
86
Sold
320
A set of five Georgian ebonised square frames with gilt oval mounts containing monochrome profile silhouette portraits.
John Miers Family Group of Silhouettes with Trade Labels
Ref: SA1244492
A set of five Georgian ebonised square frames with gilt oval mounts containing monochrome profile silhouette portraits.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSilhouette Portraits
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialEbonised Wood, Glass, Brass, Paper
  • ColourBlack and Gold
  • MotifsEbonised square frames, Gilt oval mounts, Profile busts, Brass hanging rings

This set of five Georgian silhouette portraits depicts a family group of a mother, father, and three grown-up children. Painted by John Miers of the Strand, the black monochrome profile busts sit on plaster under convex glass. The black ebonised square frames contain gilt oval verre églomisé mounts and feature small brass hanging rings at the top. The ladies wear dresses with frilled necklines and display curled, upswept hair, while the father and son share similar styling. Each frame is backed with the artist trade label number eleven, which was used between 1791 and 1809. One frame shows loss to the inner raised border between 3 and 5 o'clock, and a couple are slightly loose within their frames while remaining secure enough for hanging. Displayed together on a narrow wall space, this set suits a gentleman's library or a traditional study. The black and gold colour scheme coordinates easily with period interiors. The framed sizes are approximately 162 x 132 mm each. They provide a historic focal point when hung in a group arrangement on a living room or hallway wall, preserving a complete Georgian family collection together in their original frames.

FAQs

A Georgian silhouette portrait is a profile likeness cut from black paper or painted onto plaster, glass, or card, a technique popularised in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as an accessible alternative to painted miniature portraits.

Traditional silhouettes were executed using dark pigment painted onto plaster tablets, card, or glass, mounted inside ebonised wooden or papier-mache square frames with gilt oval inner brass surrounds and brass suspension rings.

Authentic works by John Miers frequently display fine detailing on plaster composition, subtle shading on hair or garments, and printed trade labels affixed to the reverse of the original frame backing.

Arranging a collection or family set of small framed silhouettes together creates a composed gallery wall feature above a console table, mantelpiece, or within a dedicated reading room or hallway space.

Display framed silhouettes away from direct sunlight and moisture to prevent fading of pigments and deteriorating paper or backing, and dust the exterior frame glass gently using a soft dry cloth.
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