Not on display

Tinsel Print

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

Tinsel print depicting Mr Butler as Caractacas (Caractacus) the British Chieftain, published by W.S. Johns.

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
Hand-coloured etching with tinsel additions
Brief description
Tinsel print depicting Mr Butler as Caractacas (Caractacus) the British Chieftain, published by W.S. Johns[on].
Physical description
Print depicting Mr Butler as Caractacas (Caractacus) the British Chieftain. Embellished with fragments of metal.
Dimensions
  • Height: 30.4cm
  • Width: 25.2cm
Subject depicted
Summary
Tinsel print depicting Mr Butler as Caractacas (Caractacus) the British Chieftain, published by W.S. Johns.

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.28-1981

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Record createdMarch 9, 2010
Record URL
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