Not currently on display at the V&A

Tinsel Print

ca. 1835 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Print depicting Charles Freer as Captain Buridan in The Tower of Nesle.

Tinsel prints were created from etched portraits of theatrical stars in popular roles they played on the London stage. They were hand-painted in watercolour and decorated with scraps of material and tinsel additions. They were popular during the first half of the 19th century and were considered an adult, rather than a child's hobby. By the 1830s it was possible to buy the tinsel, leather and feather ornaments to go with each image.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Hand-coloured etching with tinsel additions
Brief description
Print depicting Charles Freer as Captain Buridan in The Tower of Nesle.
Physical description
Print depicting Charles Freer as Captain Buridan in The Tower of Nesle. Embellished with metal fragments.
Dimensions
  • Height: 23.4cm
  • Width: 19.1cm
Subject depicted
Literary referenceTower of Nesle
Summary
Print depicting Charles Freer as Captain Buridan in The Tower of Nesle.

Tinsel prints were created from etched portraits of theatrical stars in popular roles they played on the London stage. They were hand-painted in watercolour and decorated with scraps of material and tinsel additions. They were popular during the first half of the 19th century and were considered an adult, rather than a child's hobby. By the 1830s it was possible to buy the tinsel, leather and feather ornaments to go with each image.
Collection
Accession number
S.45-1981

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Record createdMarch 4, 2010
Record URL
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