Not currently on display at the V&A

Tinsel Print

ca. 19th century (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Tinsel print depicting Mr. Mead as Hotspur. Published by J. Redington in London.

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

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Hand-coloured etching with tinsels on paper
Brief description
Tinsel print depicting Mr. Mead as Hotspur. Published by J. Redington in London.
Physical description
This print depicts the actor wearing a red, blue and green armore and fluorescent yellow boots. The subject is with his legs akimbo and holding a sword with his right hand and a shield in his left hand. Print framed with metal embelishment and paper glued to a card board.
Dimensions
  • Height: 25.4cm
  • Width: 21.1cm
Marks and inscriptions
Transliteration
Subject depicted
Summary
Tinsel print depicting Mr. Mead as Hotspur. Published by J. Redington in London.

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.741-1981

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Record createdMarch 10, 2010
Record URL
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