Lot 168 , John Miers (1756-1821), a silhouette brooch, circa 1807

John Miers (1756-1821), a silhouette brooch, circa 1807, the silhouette on plaster composite depicting a man in profile, within a cut-cornered rectangular gold mount, the reverse inscribed 'FS to MS Nov 15th 1807', length 2.4cm, signed Miers

John Miers (1756-1821) was one of the most important and commercially successful makers of silhouettes in the 18th and early 19th century, based at 111 the Strand, London. Miers had his clients sit in front of a candle in a darkened room, traced their shadows through a piece of translucent paper, and then scaled it down using a pantograph to create miniatures, handpainted in lamp black on white plaster. He guaranteed clients that their silhouettes could be produced in 5 minutes or less, with the finished miniature versions ready for collection a few days later.
£80-120

Condition:
Overall in good condition, some minor imperfections, gross weight approximately 4 grams.

Sold for £120