Not on display

Tinsel Print

1839 (published)
Artist/Maker

This print shows the actor George Almar in the role of the Water King in The Silver Palace. Almar is dressed in a white silk tunic over blue armour decorated with fish scale link patterns in metallic foil. He also wears a plumed helmet with a gold and crimson crown around its base. He is leaning to his left, with a staff or spear in his right hand which he is pointing away from him. He is standing on a beach and mythical creatures are visible in the sea behind him.

This print was originally published in 1839 by A. Park in Leornard Street. it appeared on sheet number 6 accompanied by an image of Mr. H. Honner as the Fire King.

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
Brief description
Tinsel print depicting Mr G.Almar as the Carol Crown the Water King, 1839.
Physical description
The actor is dressed in a white silk tunic over blue armour decorated with fish scale link patterns in metallic foil. He also wears a plumed helmet with a gold and crimson crown around its base. He is leaning to his left, with a staff or spear in his right hand which he is pointing away from him. He is standing on a beach and mythical creatures are visible in the sea behind him.
Dimensions
  • Height: 23.8cm
  • Width: 20.8cm
Marks and inscriptions
Transliteration
Object history
Purchased from Robert Holden Ltd.
Subject depicted
Literary referenceThe Silver Palace
Summary
This print shows the actor George Almar in the role of the Water King in The Silver Palace. Almar is dressed in a white silk tunic over blue armour decorated with fish scale link patterns in metallic foil. He also wears a plumed helmet with a gold and crimson crown around its base. He is leaning to his left, with a staff or spear in his right hand which he is pointing away from him. He is standing on a beach and mythical creatures are visible in the sea behind him.

This print was originally published in 1839 by A. Park in Leornard Street. it appeared on sheet number 6 accompanied by an image of Mr. H. Honner as the Fire King.

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.2038-1986

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Record createdMarch 12, 2010
Record URL
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