Mrs Barton as a Child

This delightful painted profile depicts a little girl wearing a dress with a ribbon sash on the high waist, the neckline and sleeves both edged with lace. She has a necklace, most likely of coral beads as traditionally worn by Georgian children to ward off evil spirits.

The profile is housed in a traditional papier-mâché frame with an attractive verre églomisé mount and a large floral hanger. The silhouette is in fine condition; the frame has a couple of corner chips.

Identified by an inscription on the backing card as Mrs Barton, the silhouette is stylistically attributed to John Buncombe. Although better known for his colorful military profiles, Buncombe, who lived on the Isle of Wight, also painted charmingly naive silhouettes of children. His work is much prized by collectors.