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The Frith brothers of the Royal Victoria Gallery produced some of the finest silhouettes of the mid-19th century.  Their embellishment is outstanding and gives their silhouettes an almost portrait-like quality.  This lovely lady, signed by H.A. Frith (according to McKechnie's identification of the handwriting), lives up to all expectations of Frith.  This beautiful lady stands for her profile dressed in high 1840s style with a cross-over bodice leading to a dipping V point at the waist.  Her sleeves are tight to the wrist and fitted with short oversleeves.  Her pelerine covers her shoulders and the enhancements shows with great detail the lace edging.  Her pelerine is held in place with a gold brooch.  Her small bonnet sits far back on her head and has a short ruffle in the front, long ties of which the transparency of the fabric is well-depicted, and is adorned with flowers on the side.  The lady's hair is parted in the middle and pulled over the ears.  Side curls peek out from the side of her bonnet.  Her hands are well drawn in an almost portrait-like quality.  Although the embellishment looks like gold, it is painted in yellow, as is H.A. Frith's trademark.  Of the two brothers, F. Frith is known for more elaborate backgrounds while this artist, H.A. Frith is known for his outstanding embellishments.  This is an outstanding silhouette in a beautiful, possibly original, flat profile, well-figured bird's eye maple frame with gilt liner.  There is a minor apology where the paper behind her head has two short indentions (these are not through the paper tears).  There are also three small glue stains which I've pointed out to you in the third photo.  I do not consider glue stains to be apologies because they are done by the artist himself, although not on purpose.  Yet, they are simply a part of the silhouette's history and give some understanding of how silhouettes are placed on the paper (sometimes they artist moves them just a hair after placing them, and sometimes he simply had a touch of glue on a finger).  The framed size of 13 3/4" x 16" will give this silhouette a focal point to your collection or let her stand alone on a wall.  Circa 1845.  With the Frith little girl that is currently listed and the Frith man that I am having reframed, you could put together a family of Friths!  At some point, this silhouette was sold by Sotheby's as evidenced by the label on the back of the frame.

Provenance:  ex-Fred J. Funk, Jr. of Illinois

(#4658)     $1450

Please see the Silhouettist Biographies page for more information about the Royal Victoria Gallery and the Frith brothers.

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