Curls & Chignon

It was early on in John Miers’s career that he began to advertise his ability to reduce profiles to a small size ‘for Rings, Breast Pins, Bracelets &c., also for Watch Papers … the likeness perfectly preserved’. It seems probable therefore that he originally painted this lady’s profile on plaster before scaling it down to a size appropriate to be worn as a pendant. With great skill the detail of the lady’s curled wig and banging chignon have all been beautifully retained.

Dating to the 1790s and signed Miers under the bust-line, the silhouette is set in a gold pendant frame that is glazed reverse to show neatly plaited brown hair.

Ivory Exemption Ref.: YYULJNAP