‘Nosey Parkers’

These silhouettes are sure to raise a smile as they ooze character. Painted on plaster slabs, they are expertly gilded to emphasise the costume details. Both husband and wife (or siblings maybe) have prominent noses as well as double chins. The gentleman wears a double-breasted coat with a high collar and a distinctive lapel notch, his hair brushed in a curious swirl over his forehead. The lady meantime wears a wonderful peaked cap trimmed with ribbon; the ruff collar of her dress is visible under her tightly drawn shawl.

The silhouettes are unsigned. They may be by the hand of W. Bacon who painted silhouettes in this style but of whom nothing is known. They are housed in the original papier-mâché frames with convex glass and matching star hangers. Both silhouettes have charming unfinished watercolour sketches to the backing cards on the reverse.