posted on August 13, 2003 08:03:58 AM new
From estate of elderly relative who recently died, I have a pair of small silhouette pictures, 6.5 x 5.5, framed in wood, original frames. On the paper in back of each is the date 1934; one went to a boy's mother, one to his Grandma Nana, at Christmas. The background of the pictures is not flat–it appears to be slightly raised with stuff that looks like corn silk or hair. And the glass is flat, not convex like some silhouette pictures.
Questions: what could that background stuff be? I don't think it's hair, since it was a commercial product and wouldn't have been made especially with the hair of a family loved one. What other material could have been used here? And how can I tell, without tearing the frames apart, whether the silhouettes are reverse painting on the glass? I'll post some detailed pictures here, and thanks for looking at these for me!
posted on August 13, 2003 08:10:30 AM new
Are you sure they are silhouettes or are the figures painted on the glass? Take a real good look. I have no idea what the material is but I have seen this type of picture. Those are beautiful....
posted on August 13, 2003 10:45:43 AM new
Hi, Libra: I'm calling them silhouettes for want of a better term. If I could figure out how to tell if they're reverse painting, I'd be very happy. . . . Not sure at all that they're "just" silhouettes!
posted on August 13, 2003 11:22:26 AM new
Hi, I sell these particular silhouettes often. They usually sell between $35.00 to $95.00 ( that's been my range this year). The material behind the silhouette is a natural organic fiber, it's Milkweed silk.
You should put that term in the title if you can. Beautiful isn't it?
posted on August 13, 2003 01:22:14 PM new
THANKS A BUNCH, y'all! I so appreciate your help on this.
I was thinking of starting them around $15 for the pair. Should I price them higher or put a reserve on them? Whatchoo think?
They really are SO 3D, and the dried flowers add a lot, too.
These were Xmas gifts during the depression, when Uncle Ben was a lad and his daddy had lost the business. I'm touched that he split the pair and gave one to Mama Clara and one to Grandma Nana. We folks today don't really know what it is to count EVERY penny, I think.
posted on September 26, 2003 08:58:55 AM new
Thanks, Lucy! If anyone wants to see the current auction (doing quite well, thanks to earlier advice from my Vendio friends), I'll be glad to paste a link to it here. Adele
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"Practically speaking, a life that is vowed to simplicity, appropriate boldness, good humour, gratitude, unstinting work and play, and lots of walking, brings us close to the actually existing world and its wholeness." --Gary Snyder
posted on September 26, 2003 08:59:27 AM new
Wow! Almost $150 now. Nice find.
-------------- sig file ----------- Most costume jewelry is unsigned. After all, the vast majority of it was made to be worn a few times, then discarded. It wasn't made to be durable. --- The Fluffster
