Fanny Page

This most attractive silhouette has been painted by T. London of Kidderminster and depicts a young lady named Fanny Page. Fanny is wearing a dress with a square décolletage, short sleeves trimmed with lace, and a high waistline tied at the back with a ribbon bow. She has a hoop earring and a beaded necklace and her hair is fashionably cropped in the à la Titus style.

The silhouette is painted on ivory in shades of grey with a hatched background. It is housed in the original papier-mâché frame with a decorative surround and is backed with the artist’s trade label (no. 1) used around 1800 whilst he was based at Mrs Plater’s at the Bull-Ring in the centre of Kidderminster. The reverse side of the label has been inscribed with the sitter’s details – “Fanny Page / Buried at Parkgate / Nr Chester / Daughter of John & / Charlotte Page”.

T. London is notable as one of the few artists painting profiles on larger pieces of ivory for framing. Nothing is known about his background and examples of his work are relatively rare.

The silhouette is in fine condition with just a couple of small spots of paint loss to the dress. The front part of the hanger is missing.