CASTING LIGHT ON HISTORY OF SILHOUETTE PORTRAITS
Shadowed profiles enjoyed a century of popularity before advent of photography
Q This is a silhouette of the Squire of West Haddon, Northamptonshire, U.K. He was born in 1783 and died in Shrewsbury in 1871. His daughter married my great grandfather, just to keep family records straight! It appears to be watercolour paints of just black and white on paper, and backed by a wood panel. The frame, measuring 36 by 25 cm (14 x 10 inches) is faced with bird's eye maple veneer. Is there some interest to add on top of a value? Thank you and best wishes,
Geoff, Waterloo.
A The moniker of `silhouette' – for shadowed profiles – has been credited, with some reservation, to Louis XV'S frugal finance minister, Etienne de Silhouette who enacted drastic fiscal reforms to finance the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) – suggesting these to be less expensive portraiture. They were known earlier as `shades' — a process involving candlelight shadows thrown onto oiled paper which were traced in pencil. Outlines were transferred to black paper to cut out or apply to lighter paper then shaded with black and white — as in yours. Appearing in the 17th century they were popular until about 1850 when they were eclipsed by the more modern photograph. Silhouettes are more affordable today but still find settings with country décor. Your fine example, with the `ID' is worth $600 today.
Q This set of almost 70 microscope slides from the 1800s includes 12 novelty slides, the original “microdot” efforts showing the royal family, Niagara Falls, Gladstone etc. Many are labelled with specimen name, preserving medium, date, and the preparer. They were purchased in England, during Second World War. I'm having fun going through them and I hope they catch your attention.
Paul, Kingston.
A Often referred to as “The Father of Microbiology” Antonie van Leeuwenhoek was finally recognized for his accomplishments of the late 1600s, by the general public about 200 years later. Companies promoting the sale of microscopes often sold accessory slide sets, and the public was eager to learn about these new “invisible to the naked eye” wonders. Exhibition slides often consisted of artistically arranged diatoms, or colourful insect scales in snowflake shapes or floral bouquets. The “microdots” you mention — extremely reduced photographs requiring a microscope to view, and once said to have been used for espionage — are of much interest and quite collectible. These sets were popular from the early 1900s and with more interest in science
today collectors will often pay quite a high price for particular individual slide subjects. Your collection could be worth $275.
Q This 25 cm (10 inch) high vase came back to Canada from China with my mother-in-law. She brought it to Canada when she left China. It is marked “Titanian” on the bottom as well as Royal Doulton. The name F. Henri is painted on the side of the vase to the bottom right of the cranes. Can you tell me anything about its history and value? Thank you.
Lois, Kitchener.
A F. Henri was one of Doulton's top artists who painted stunning animal subjects on porcelain, including these lovely Asianstyle cranes. The Doulton firm, founded in the early 1800s, owes much of its competitive success to hiring artists with talent and flair. The quality of this piece is terrific, and its visual impact is enhanced by the smoky blue “Titanian” glaze, first derived from titanium oxide around 1915. Bird subjects done by known artists are popular today, even though many Doulton products have reduced values, presently. This special piece will command $650 today.
John Sewell is an antiques and fine art appraiser. To submit an item to his column, go to the `Contact John' page at www. johnsewellantiques.ca. Please measure your piece, say when and how you got it, what you paid and list any identifying marks. A high-resolution jpeg photo must also be included. (Only email submissions accepted.)
* Appraisal values are estimates only.*