Not on display

Tinsel Print

1840 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Tinsel print showing Mrs. W. Lacy as Titania in Madame Vestris's production of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden, 16 November 1840, starring Madame Vestris as Oberon and John Pritt Harley as Bottom. The scenery was by Thomas and William Grieve and the music was by Mendelssohn.

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 tinsels and silk on paper
Brief description
Tinsel print of Mrs.W. Lacy as Titania in Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, Covent Garden Theatre, 16 November 1840. Etching published by Archibald Park, 1838, with watercolour and tinsel additions.
Physical description
Tinsel print showing Mrs Lacy as Titania dressed in a kneelength white gown decorated with blue stripes. Her gown, sceptre and sandals are embellished with tinsel motifs.
Dimensions
  • Height: 17.8cm
  • Width: 15cm
Measurements given are for the wooden frame in which the print is currently mounted
Marks and inscriptions
Transliteration
Credit line
Given anonymously in memory of Terence Rattigan
Summary
Tinsel print showing Mrs. W. Lacy as Titania in Madame Vestris's production of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden, 16 November 1840, starring Madame Vestris as Oberon and John Pritt Harley as Bottom. The scenery was by Thomas and William Grieve and the music was by Mendelssohn.

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.
Associated object
Collection
Accession number
S.1498-1984

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 10, 2010
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest