Americana & Folk Art

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This is a really stunning mid-19th century cut & paste silhouette of a mother and daughter.  The closed hands of both mother and daughter are well-executed and each holds a painted object--Mom holds a book and daughter holds a small bouquet of flowers.  The gilt embellishment is just wonderful and bright, showing great detail in the fabric of the both dresses and the hair of both.  Mom's hair is twisted to a bun on the back of her head and held in place with a comb.  Her hair is parted in the middle and pulled down neatly over her ears.  Her dress has a low tight waist, a small turned down collar and bell shaped sleeves.  She wears engageantes to cover her wrists.  Engageantes were half sleeves that fit under the sleeve bell at the elbow, tied into position and ending at the wrist in frills or cuffs.  Her full skirt just brushes the top of her tiny shoe.  The little girl wears a dress with flounces that is short enough to allow her drawers to peek out.  Although she is not old enough to be dressed like a miniature adult woman, her dress has the same bell sleeves with engageantes as her mother's.  Her hair is parted, pulled straight down until it reaches just above her ears and then ringlets cover her ears.  These beautiful silhouettes are placed on a watercolor background of an interior which shows a framed painting and part of a drapery.

The stunning ogee profile rosewood veneer frame has a great framer's trade label on the backboard:

W. Hibbert

Carver Gilder

& Dealer in

Artists Materials

No. 78 Fargate. Barker Pool

Sheffield

William Hibbert was the founder of Hibbert Brothers (with his brother John).  I found two sources, one saying that William founded his company at 78 Fargate is 1839--the other saying the first year at the Fargate address was 1851.  Hibbert Brothers framing remained at the same location until about 2005.  I have not been able to find when William Hibbert joined his brother (first listed as a separate carver and gilder) to become Hibbert Brothers.

The dress of the figures in this silhouette date the piece to circa 1845-1850.  The frame is likely original to the piece....at least it has never been cut down.  This is a really lovely silhouette.

(#4762)     $1750

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