T.P. Jones Antique Silhouette of Elizabeth Read, relative of George Washington

Peggy McClard Antiques

Americana & Folk Art

This hollow cut silhouette presents a marvelous bit of American history. A family history included with the silhouette identifies the sitter as Elizabeth Read, born in 1744. Genealogy research confirms that Elizabeth is the second cousin, once removed of General George Washington. The research (provided to the buyer) shows that George Washington's grandmother was the sister to Elizabeth Read's great-grandfather. The silhouette is embossed with the signature of T.P. Jones.

T.P. Jones may be the artist that Mrs. Jackson refers to as "F.P.Jones" in her book Silhouettes A History and Dictionary of Artists. A circa 1810 example of T.P. Jones' work can be seen in Blume J. Rifken's Silhouettes in America, 1790-1840. The family history provided with this silhouette shows that Jones was working in New York in 1826 when he produced this silhouette from an original taken in 1769. Asking a silhouettist to reproduce an earlier piece was not an uncommon practice in the 19th century--it was a practice used to provide silhouettes of loved ones to family members. In 1826, Elizabeth was 83 years old, three years from her death and probably not in the best of health. Her family likely wanted something to remember her by. A real find both because of the historical significance of the sitter and the knowledge acquired about the artist!

In a period frame measuring 6 7/8" x 7 7/8" with gold overpaint.

(#3515) $750 Sale Price $475