Not currently on display at the V&A

Tinsel Print

1839 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This print shows the actor Robert William Honner in the role of the Fire King in The Silver Palace.Honner is dressed in a white silk tunic over green armour decorated with fish scale link patterns in metallic foil. He also wears a plumed helmet with a gold and crimson crown around its base. He is leaning to his left, with round shield ornated with a dragon on his right arm. He is standing on a beach and mythical creatures are visible in the sea behind him.

This print was originally published in 1839 by A. Park in Leornard Street. it appeared on sheet number 6 accompanied by an image of Mr.Mr. G. almar as the Water King.

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
Printing ink, watercolour, foil tinsels, silk, glue or paste on paper and wooden frame
Brief description
Tinsel print depicting Mr R. Honner as the Fire King, published by Park in 1839.
Physical description
The actor is dressed in a white silk tunic over green armour decorated with fish scale link patterns in metallic foil. He also wears a plumed helmet with a gold and crimson crown around its base. He is leaning to his left, with round shield ornated with a dragon on his right arm. He is standing on a beach and mythical creatures are visible in the sea behind him. Wooden frame.
Dimensions
  • Total with frame height: 24cm
  • Total with mount width: 21cm
Object history
Purchased from Robert Holden Ltd.
Subject depicted
Literary referenceThe Silver Palace
Summary
This print shows the actor Robert William Honner in the role of the Fire King in The Silver Palace.Honner is dressed in a white silk tunic over green armour decorated with fish scale link patterns in metallic foil. He also wears a plumed helmet with a gold and crimson crown around its base. He is leaning to his left, with round shield ornated with a dragon on his right arm. He is standing on a beach and mythical creatures are visible in the sea behind him.

This print was originally published in 1839 by A. Park in Leornard Street. it appeared on sheet number 6 accompanied by an image of Mr.Mr. G. almar as the Water King.

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.2039-1986

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Record createdApril 12, 2010
Record URL
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