Antique Silhouette Portrait: Lady Cowley, Dobbs Embossed Card, 1840s

We love this antique silhouette as the entire package is so appealing. A named sitter in an unusual mount set within THE most stunning all original frame...perfection!!

This delightful cut paper portrait silhouette was produced in England during the 19th century, circa 1840s. The silhouette features a female sitter in profile view wearing typical fashions of this early Victorian period. The lady wears her hair in a centre parting with the front section separate and curled. The rest of her hair is swept back in a plaited bun. She wears gold dangling earings. A dress with narrow sleeves and V pointed waistline. A lace collar with fashionable long guard chain necklace. The silhouette has been bronzed by the artist; bronzing is the process of adding areas of detail and tone with gold. What makes this silhouette so unusual is the fact that it is painted, cut then mounted on Dobbs of London floral embossed card. Dobbs of London, were ornamental stationers to the Royal family.

The silhouette is housed behind its original glass in its original satin wood veneered frame. The backing board is also original with a handwritten previous owner’s inscription naming the sitter as Mary Cowley of Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.

Mary Cowley, née Russell was baptised in 1799 at Hitchin. She was the daughter of John and Mary Rusell.

Mary’s first marriage was to James Prudden, they got married in 1825 at St Mary’s, Hitchin. We cannot find any information on what happened to James but we presume he died some time before Mary’s second marriage.

Mary’s second marriage was to Jonathan Cowley (b 1813 – d 1865) on the 17th of May 1838 at St Mary’s, Hitchin. Jonathan and Mary had two children. Eliza Ann Cowley (b abt. 1840 – d 1899) and George Frederick Cowley (b abt. 1841 – d 1841). In the 1841 census the family are living at the Marketplace in Hitchin and Jonathan is working as a tailor.

In the 1851 census Jonathan and Mary were living in Hitchin with their daughter Eliza. Jonathan was working as a shop man and Mary was working as a dressmaker. They were living at Bridge Street, Hitchin. Several apprentices are living with them as is a servant.

In the 1861 census they are living at the same address in Hitchin. Jonathan is working as a tailor, and Mary is working as dress makers.

Mary died on the 24th of July 1864 in Hitchin.

This is one of the most decorative silhouettes we have seen with the incredible embossed paper. One of a pair, each sold separately. Please see our collection of 18th and 19th century silhouettes, we have been retailing them for 30 years and have much expertise in them.

Measuring: Frame width 7 3/8 inch (18.5 cm) by height 8 ¾ inch (22 cm. Aperture width 4 inch (10 cm) by height 5 3/8 inch (13.5 cm).

Condition: Light surface wear commensurate with age. Some minor age related dappled toning to the paper.

Item id:16276