History of Silhouette / Silhouettist Bios / Folk Portrait Artists / Tokens of Love & Friendship / Early Mourning Rituals / Hiding In Plain Sight / History of Christening or Birth Pillows / History of Hooked Rugs / History of Footstools

This section is just for you.  Call it "Educational" if you like, but I think it is more aptly named "Just for Fun".  So far I can offer you the pages you will read about below.  I will add to the biographies pages as time allows and images become available.  Eventually, you might find new pages here.....Who knows what my next topic may be?!?

History of Silhouette

A brief history of silhouettes and referrals to my favorite reference materials.

Silhouettist Biographies

Short biographies of my favorite silhouette artists.

Folk Portrait Artists

Information about some of my favorite portraitists.

Tokens of Love & Friendship

Fun stuff 19th century love and friendship tokens.

Early Mourning Rituals

Guest article by Rikki Springsteed

The art of mourning from the 14th century to the early 20th century.  Includes jewelry, gravestones, painting & needlework, & lithography.

Hiding In Plain Sight or the Elusive Shades

Guest article by Susan Anderson

Seeking the Dickinson Family Silhouette

History of Hooked Rugs

A brief history of rug hooking in America.

Christening or Birth Announcement Pillows

Interesting facts about 18th & 19th century pin-decorated

Christening or Birth Announcement Pillows.

History of Footstools

Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask about

antique footstools or, as they were known in the period,

"crickets".