Not currently on display at the V&A

Tinsel Print

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

Tinsel print depicting Edmund Kean as Othello, 19th century.

Tinsel prints were created from etched portraits of theatrical stars in popular roles that they played on the London stage. The prints 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
Tinsel print depicting Edmund Kean as Othello, 19th century
Physical description
Tinsel print depicting Mr. E. Kean as Othello, 19th century Embellished with fragments of metal.
Dimensions
  • Height: 18cm
  • Width: 15.5cm (Note: Including frame)
Credit line
Given by Martin Scofield
Object history
From the collection of actor Paul Scofield (1922-2008).
Subject depicted
Summary
Tinsel print depicting Edmund Kean as Othello, 19th century.

Tinsel prints were created from etched portraits of theatrical stars in popular roles that they played on the London stage. The prints 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.
Other number
THM/397/9/4/3 - Archive number
Collection
Accession number
S.108-2013

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Record createdJanuary 3, 2014
Record URL
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