Tinsel Print thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Tinsel Print

ca.1830 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Tinsel print of an actor, possibly T.P. Cooke, as a British sailor in a nautical drama, ca.1830. Etching coloured by hand with tinsel and fabric additions.

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
etching, coloured by hand with fabric and tinsel additions.
Brief description
Tinsel print of an actor, possibly T.P. Cooke, as a British sailor in a nautical drama, ca.1830. Etching coloured by hand with tinsel and fabric additions.
Physical description
Tinsel print of an actor, possibly T.P. Cooke, as a sailor on board the deck of 'The Victory', standing legs apart, holding his hat down by his side in his right hand, his left arm raised at chest height. Hand-coloured engraving, cut out and attached to a backing, with tinsel, paper and satin additions. Name of the actor, role and publisher trimmed away.
Dimensions
  • Height: 25.4cm
  • Width: 20.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
Transliteration
Summary
Tinsel print of an actor, possibly T.P. Cooke, as a British sailor in a nautical drama, ca.1830. Etching coloured by hand with tinsel and fabric additions.

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.2036-1986

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Record createdMarch 7, 2008
Record URL
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