1860s English Paper Cut Picture Songbird Folk Art Provenance Noel Riley

If like us you adore 18th and 19th century paper cutting and pin pricking such as the works by Elizabeth Cobbold, Amelia Blackburn and Mary Delany then this unique, very special picture will be the star of your collection. This picture comes with excellent provenance being previously owned by the author and collector Noel Riley. This actual item is featured in her book ‘The Accomplished Lady, A history Of Genteel Pursuits c. 1660 – 1860’ on Page 261

This stunning and fascinating cut paper picture with pin prick detailing was made in England around the year 1860. The piece is housed behind glass in its original lemon gilt Oxford (cruciform) frame.

We see a three dimensional cut paper song bird with tiny black glass eye, he is singing his heart out resting on some cut paper foliage. The feathery cut paper plumage is a delight, the body of the bird cut from several layers of card highlighted with pin price detailing. It is slightly padded from the rear with wool to give the 3D effect (we can just see some wool peeping out from behind a lower feather). The bird and foliage are backed by a panel of original Victorian tan coloured cotton velvet, set behind its original oval card mount.

The back of the frame features the original owner’s inscription reading ‘The work of, and given by, Mrs. Isaac Fellows to M. A. G. Wheeler.’
The backing board also features the newspaper obituary of Mrs. Fellows. We have provided an extract of the obituary bellow and some history on Mrs Fellows.

‘Mrs Fellows was always a desirable guest in the social circle; her unbounded industry and skills in all kinds of needlework rendered her a valuable companion and friend. She also possessed a remarkable talent peculiar to herself, that of cutting the most exact and truthful resemblances of birds and animals out of paper and cardboard. These artistic productions were much sought after by the promoters of bazaars and were always willingly given.’

Frances Fellows, nee Perks (b abt. 1805 - d 1884). Frances Fellows was the wife of Issac Fellows (b abt. 1861 - d 1865). Frances and Issac lived in Wolverhampton for much of their life. Frances and Isaac married in 1826 at Old Swinford St Mary, Worcestershire, England. Issac was clerk to the Wolverhampton Board of Guardians and the Wolverhampton Poor Law Union, Frances and Issac were involved in running one of the local schools. Frances was a philanthropist, her benevolent work with the poor much admired in the town.

This is the perfect item for anyone who loves early folk art, paper ephemera or their garden birds.

Measuring: Total Cross frame height 11 3/4 inch by width 10 1/8 inch (30 cm by 26 cm). As a rectangle , not incl cross tips, 9 1/4 inch tall by 7 1/2 inch wide (23.5 cm by 19 cm). Inner Aperture height 7 7/8 inch by width 5 7/8 inch (19.5 cm by 15 cm). Oval measures 5 1/2 inch tall by 4 1/2 inch wide (14.5 cm by 11. 5 cm).

Condition: Light age-related toning to card mount and minor age related toning to paper. Light surface wear to frame.

Item id:12958