What is an antique profile portrait miniature?

An antique profile portrait miniature is a small-scale likeness created in the eighteenth, nineteenth, or early twentieth centuries. These works record individual sitters in profile, focusing attention on the contour of the face. They appear as framed pictures, wearable jewellery, and carved plaques, produced using media such as silhouette paper, watercolour, and wax.

How were profile miniatures displayed?

Makers housed these small portraits in tight wooden frames, often ebonised and fitted with brass bezels for wall hanging. Many were designed for personal wear as brooches, rings, and pendants. Desk placement and travel cases also allowed owners to carry likenesses of family members during journeys.

How do I date a silhouette portrait?

Dating relies on the costume, hair style, and framing materials visible in the piece. Regency silhouettes often feature high-waisted dresses and elaborate cravats, while Victorian examples display different necklines and bonnet styles. Backing papers, trade labels, and handwritten inscriptions on the reverse also provide clues to the period.