More 19th Century Silhouettes © 2012

Carl from Charleston writes:

"I am attaching several photos of the J. Bruff silhouette. Unfortunately, I could not get a good photo of the embossed insignia, but it is exactly like the one published on the website (J Bruff at top, Baltimore at bottom and star in center). This one also has a penciled name at the bottom, my guess, identifying the sitter in the portrait. Since the backing was not attached, I had it secured w/ framer points. As best as I can tell, it is the original frame (w/ the original glass and loop hardware at the top). As I stated before, I found it at a rummage sale and initially, was buying it just for the frame (I thought the silhoutte was probably a print). When I got home and examined it, I realized that it was authentic. It was truly a great find!"

"I have enjoyed the website and learning more about early American silhouettes."

NOTE: The bust tip is unmistakenly that of Bruff, with or without his stamp. With this inclusion, there are now three known Bruffs in private collections. It was a "great find" for Carl. The frame is very nice too. The construction of the base is as simple as it comes but with an added veneered facing, either painted or natural grained.

This is from an auction. Just because someone writes something on the back of the frame, it is automatically assigned a pedigree or provenance. We really do not know who this profile belongs to. The paper tag says, "Daughter of John Harris the Elder or John Harris the Younger." That is a common name, and the tag is modern. The profile may just as well belong to Jane Doe. It even comes in an "ond" frame, and this "Ultra Rare Silhouette is in ready to hang condition."

I would not be caught displaying that framed item on my wall. If I owned it, I will hang it alright...with a noose! Although it may not be your or my preference, it is being bid up quite high. I think I have a bad habit of picking on stuff. When I saw this, I thought it would be fun for the readers. The following is a description by the seller.

"A Rare And Important Hollow Cut American Silhouette. The Subject is "Jane Harris" ,and was the daughter of "John Harris" of the Founding Family of Harrisburg ,Pennsylvania. Thier home still stands in Harrisburg today ,along the Susquehanna River. The Hand Cut Silhouette is Hollow Cut ,and in great ,original overall condition. The frame is ond and may be original to the piece ,but appears to have been reused and rematted at least once. The visible Gold leaf is original to the frame ,as is the wavy ,bubble glass. The silhouette has some mild staining ,and dates to the 1810 -1830 time frame. It states on the reverse ,"Daughter Of John Harris ,The Elder ,Or John Harris The Younger". This exceptional ,Ultra Rare Silhouette is in ready to hang condition ,and needs nothing !!!"

These two images comes from Peggy. It is clear that it does not say "Chapman Studios" as claimed earlier below by Jane.

(Aug. 2010) For new info on this stamp, check out silhouettes page III.

This interesting silhouette, ca. 1810, is on eBay now. It has a lousy modern frame; however, the cutting is good with added hair details. As there are too many bidders on it already, I decided to just let it ride. The bust termination is of interest. It has a notch. There is definitely a stamp under the bust by the maker. I have manipulated its size and color to get a closer look. Unfortunately, it remains to be attributed. Although the work resembles Bache somewhat, this stamp is a single line type. The stamp does resemble that from the Peale Museum, not the one with a spread eagle but that of the "Museum." Of course, it may be something else. The bust notch seems to be too large to be from the Museum. Since the oval opening hides the bust tip, I cannot tell whether the silhouette has been cut there and incomplete. If a reader wins this silhouette, please drop me a line. I am curios. What does the stamp say? Is the stamp a secondary impression where it only has the shadow of the embossment?

Recently, a viewer sent me a link to view a list of silhouettes being auctioned-off. I found three silhouettes that interested me. The first was described as, “A lovely Charles Wilson Peale hollow-cut silhouette of a woman. Black ink hair and back of dress. Embossed PEALE underneat the image.” The second was, “A wonderful Charles Wilson Peale hollow-cut silhouette of a gentleman. Black ink hair and ruffled shirt. Embossed stamp PEALE beneath the image.” The third was, Another lovely Charles Wilson Peale silhouette. Portrait of a gentleman. Hollow-cut with black ink for the hair. Embossed stamp PEALE underneath the bust. On the back there is a piece of paper taped to the frame that says "Peale Museum" - 19th century.”

C.W.Peale spelled his middle name funky, Willson. The auction site spells it “Wilson.” No point will be taken off for that, however. Since the auction page is copyrighted, I will mention that the images came from “iGavel.”

If you were to look at the left photograph embossing (genuine Peale), you will see that it is within an oval punch, and the letters are well-formed. On the other hand, the purported Peales are individual punches (for more on Peale stamps, see my article somewhere on this or another silhouettes page). Although the pictures are not very clear, I am sure you can see the differences in how the letters “LE” of PEALE are formed. On the left photo (genuine Peale), the right legs of those two letters go up straight, while those of the letters on the top right picture go out at a 45 degree angle. The leg of “L” almost touches or even touches the letter “E.” Also, note the last “E” of the bottom right photo. The right leg of it is very long and curves inward. All the letters of the two right photos are crudely formed.

The busts of the purported Peales, the two men, are not Peale-like. This is not to say that these types of busts were never cut there. It is just I do not remember ever seeing such lines. The lady has Peale-like attributes with its small notch at the bustline and the neck being off-centered in terms of the bust. However, the face is not Peale-like. This is a subjective part. Sometimes, the face tells a lot. From the photos, they all appear to be silhouettes from the early 1800s. I like the lady a lot. If not for the “addition,” that would have been a keeper.

I will let the good readers decide on the fate of these silhouettes. If a reader believe them to be from the Peale Museum, I would like to hear.

(AUG. 2010) Check out page III for new info on this stamp.

Jane writes, "I found both silhouettes at an antique dealers' home and at an antique show in this area. The embossed Chapman was at a dealer's home and in his personal collection. I was a novice at the time in horse trading, but ended up trading a small wooden stool, plus cash for the silhouette! It is in its original frame, untouched. The embossing says, "Chapman Studios" (The "S" in studios at the end is backwards! The type on the stamp must have been backwards! But it does say "Chapman Studios"...) This is the only example I have seen with this embossing. The white shade says:"Mr. Poole of of Topsfield" on one side, and on the front, "Probably by Chapman". This is valuable in that the shade is an exact copy of what Chapman advertizes on his broadside. The broadside was found at a show in New England; it is quite rare and is a wonderful read! These interant artists would travel from place to place and leave these broadsides on the counter by the check-in at a hotel, or with a keeper of a tavern. They would stay for a few days, and off they would go! Their horse would be waiting to travel to the next town! They would invite customers to their room in the hotel, and guarantee satisfaction! Chapman mentions his machine in the broadside. Quite a brazen fellow!! Quite sure of himself, don't you think? Moses was a very good salesman also, no doubt!"

This is a "PEALE" stamped silhouette from Jane. She says, "The "Peale" sil is an absolutely wonderful example. Her bonnet is very well done; she dates probably from 1800- 1810, using her clothing as a guide, and that Raphael Peale was working around those dates also. She was bought from an ad in Maine Antiques Digest many years ago. The description read a "Peale" silhouette.I called and asked whether or not the stamp just said, "Peale" or "Peale's Museum", the more common stamp...I was assured it was just "Peale", bought it, and have not seen another!"

This silhouette also belongs to Jane. See her Gladding below. This is she says about this silhouette, "M. Honeywell's sil with white highlights is also very rare. Imagine highlighting with a brush in your mouth, and doing so in such a precise manner! The initials "H.H" are written right underneath, and this may be a shade of Martha's sister, so she made it with extra details! Those are only my thoughts, no real proof. I have not been able to ascertain whether Martha had a sister or not, but it makes sense somehow that she would work extra hard for a family member!! Whenever I feel as if I just can't do something, I remember my examples that Martha Honeywell produced in her silhouettes, needlework, and cut-out prick pictures, and say, "Yes, I can!!" I found this silhouette in a wooden bowl on a table, with other silhouettes and butter prints, at a local antique show. She wasn't even hanging on a wall! A great find!! And a lucky find!"