Americana & Folk Art

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A lovely American hollow cut silhouette by one of my favorite artists, William Bache.  Unlike most American artists, Bache embellished the background paper of his silhouettes with Chinese white - most embellished only the outside edges of their hollow cut silhouettes.  Bache advertised these lovely silhouettes as "Shaded Profiles".  This silhouette is also very rare as it is hand-signed by Bache - he almost always used one of two impressed stamps that read "BACHE'S PATENT".  There is light toning to the paper showing that at one time the silhouette was behind a mat.  The photo shows the toning more than you will see it in real life--the silhouette is really in almost perfect condition.

This beautiful silhouette is housed in a 5 1/8" x 6 1/2" period gilt frame that has been overpainted with either gold paint or an oil-based gilt.  The frame is backed by a printed label stating that it is from "The Elizabeth L. Maurier Collection of Profiles" and giving a history about the collection.  I have seen several silhouettes with this label (in fact there are two more in my collection) but have never been able to find any information about the Elizabeth L. Maurier Collection.  If you have any information beyond what is printed on the label (see the photo below), I would really appreciate if you would pass it on to me.

This silhouette has been in my collection for several years.  I hate to let it go because of the rarity of the signature...but I can't keep them all!  Circa 1793-1810.

(#3192)     $850

Please see the Silhouettist Biographies page for more information about Bache.