Relief
August 1786 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This vase of flowers has been created out of cut paper. Cut paper work was a popular pastime from the late 17th century, although there are examples by artists from before then. This example is more sophisticated than the work of most amateurs. As a three-dimensional piece, it has required even more skill than that normally demanded of the paper cutter. Each flower has had to be created individually, and then the individual parts of the design united to create an ensemble.
People
The locket is inscribed on the back in an 18th-century hand: 'Honble Mrs O'Neile, August 1786'. This is probably the Honourable Mrs John O'Neill (1756-1793), born Henrietta Boyle. Mrs O'Neill's title was 'the Honorable' because she was the daughter of a Lord, in her case Charles Boyle, Lord Dunganon.
Ownership & Use
This is a particularly small and accomplished example of cut paper work. This object has not merely been created as an exercise, even if such intricate work was considered beneficial for the sight. The locket setting seems to be original, sealed with wax, and is likely to have made a handsome gift for a friend or relative of Mrs O'Neill.
This vase of flowers has been created out of cut paper. Cut paper work was a popular pastime from the late 17th century, although there are examples by artists from before then. This example is more sophisticated than the work of most amateurs. As a three-dimensional piece, it has required even more skill than that normally demanded of the paper cutter. Each flower has had to be created individually, and then the individual parts of the design united to create an ensemble.
People
The locket is inscribed on the back in an 18th-century hand: 'Honble Mrs O'Neile, August 1786'. This is probably the Honourable Mrs John O'Neill (1756-1793), born Henrietta Boyle. Mrs O'Neill's title was 'the Honorable' because she was the daughter of a Lord, in her case Charles Boyle, Lord Dunganon.
Ownership & Use
This is a particularly small and accomplished example of cut paper work. This object has not merely been created as an exercise, even if such intricate work was considered beneficial for the sight. The locket setting seems to be original, sealed with wax, and is likely to have made a handsome gift for a friend or relative of Mrs O'Neill.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cut paper-work on card |
| Brief description | Miniature cut paper-work of an urn and flowers in a locket by Mrs. Henrietta O'Neill. |
| Physical description | Miniature cut paper-work of an urn and flowers, mounted and set in an oval locket. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'Honble. Mrs. O'Neile August 1786.' (Inscribed on the back) |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
The art of cutting paper was believed by some to strengthen the eyes. Many cut-paper works were produced on a miniscule scale. Some of the smallest examples of cut-paper work were made for lockets or to line watch cases. This example is inscribed on the back 'Honble Mrs O'Neil August 1786'.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Miss Eleanor M. Powel |
| Object history | The artist whose name is inscribed on the back can in all probability be identified with the Hon. Henrietta O’Neill, daughter of Charles Boyle, Lord Dungarvan. She married, in 1777, John O’Neill, who became first Viscount O’Neill in 1795. In 1786, therefore, she would be described as the Hon. Mrs. O’Neill by virtue of being the daughter of a lord. She was a person of considerable capabilities; see The Gentleman’s Magazine, 1833, pt.2, p.130 ff. This locket was formerly in the collection of the donor’s grandmother Miss Sally Caroline Fitzgerald, at County Clare, Ireland, who married Basil Cochrane in 1839. |
| Production | Possibly made in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type This vase of flowers has been created out of cut paper. Cut paper work was a popular pastime from the late 17th century, although there are examples by artists from before then. This example is more sophisticated than the work of most amateurs. As a three-dimensional piece, it has required even more skill than that normally demanded of the paper cutter. Each flower has had to be created individually, and then the individual parts of the design united to create an ensemble. People The locket is inscribed on the back in an 18th-century hand: 'Honble Mrs O'Neile, August 1786'. This is probably the Honourable Mrs John O'Neill (1756-1793), born Henrietta Boyle. Mrs O'Neill's title was 'the Honorable' because she was the daughter of a Lord, in her case Charles Boyle, Lord Dunganon. Ownership & Use This is a particularly small and accomplished example of cut paper work. This object has not merely been created as an exercise, even if such intricate work was considered beneficial for the sight. The locket setting seems to be original, sealed with wax, and is likely to have made a handsome gift for a friend or relative of Mrs O'Neill. |
| Bibliographic reference | Victoria and Albert Museum Department of Prints and Drawings and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1963 . London: HMSO, 1964. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | P.26-1963 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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