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Lovely cut & paste silhouette of a young girl by Samuel Metford (1810-1896?). Samuel Metford was born in 1810 to a Quaker family in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. He moved to America around 1834 and became a naturalized American citizen. Metford seems to have centered his profile cutting in Connecticut although he is also known to have worked in New York and South Carolina. He likely also plied his trade in other states. Metford continued working in until 1844 when he moved back to England. He made two more trips to America in between 1865 and 1867. It is unknown whether he cut profiles during the later trips to America as no examples have been found that appear to date to the 1860s.

This young girl, aged 10-12, wears a full skirt that comes just below her knees and allowing her calve-length pantaloons to show.  Immediately below her pantaloons are the top of her boots (fashionable for young girls circa 1850.  The bodice of her dress comes to the tight V-point that was fashionable with ladies and girls throughout the 1840s.  She wears her hair combed flat over the ears and drawn behind the ear in a cluster of loose curls (very similar to the young girl in the Metford conversation group also offered for sale).  She holds a single rose with three leaves.

Metford's excellent embellishment shines in this silhouette with strong gold and yellow-ochre detail to the girl's hair, clothing and flower.  A bit of Chinese white adds more detail to the lace around the neck of the dress.  The girl stands on a watercolor wash ground.  The signature "S. Metford fecit" is clearly seen in the lower left of the backing card.  The silhouette is in a period rosewood frame with a half round profile and a gilt liner that measures 6 7/8" x 9".   This is a really lovely piece by a sought-after artist!  Circa 1845-1850.

(#4574)     Sale Pending

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

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