Unknown

Mid 19th Century English silhouette portrait of a lady in a night cap

Circa 1850

A finely detailed silhouette of a Victorian clergyman. Frederick Frith (1819-1871) The Reverend James Metze, bust length, turned to the right, wearing coat and cravat Inscribed to t...

A finely detailed silhouette of a Victorian lady, unusuallly depicted wearing an elaborate hat with lace brim and plume. Circle of Hinton Gibbs (1783-1839) Portrait of a lady, bust ...

Believing that the departed continue to hold influence over the lives of the living, many Chinese households honor their ancestors in private family rituals, invoking their spirits for long life, health, and prosperity. Commemorative portraits, which came into vogue in the late Ming and Qing dynasties, were commissioned specifically for ancestor worship and were believed to house the spirits of the deceased. When properly cared for, one's ancestors were believed to be a powerful source of honor, protection, and good luck. This pair of ancestor portraits was hand-painted in the 19th century and beautifully depicts a Qing-dynasty couple. While some ancestral portraits offer a more stylized representation of one's ancestors, this particular pair is painted with incredible realism and life-like expressions. Rather than depict the pair in a regal hall wearing elaborate finery, the couple is shown in a quiet home environment, seated at either end of a square tea table. Their surroundings are minimal, practically undecorated, and they wear simple, matching blue silk robes...

Original Art Deco fashion drawing, ink, and wash on Vellum paper by French artist G. Ferro. The artwork features a stylish male model with a typical Art Deco overcoat. The piece is s...