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Page 16 The Antique Shoppe
Dade City & San Antonio
DADE CITY
52
5 of a famous person or a known
577
579A
75
Park your car in the
treeshaded city lots and
stroll among our antique ZEPHYRHILLS
To Tampa and collectible shops.
Enjoy our
small town charms.
We’d love to have you!
AMERICAN EAGLE
ANTIQUES
14232 7th Street
Dade City, FL 33523
352-521-3361
OpEN 7 DAyS 11-5:30
AMERICAN EAGLE
ANTIQUES, TOO
Featuring Fine Antiques
14119 7th Street
Dade City, FL 33523
352-521-0390
OpEN 10-5 MON-SAT
TOP DRAWER ANTIQUES
Late Century Modern Furniture
Decorative Arts & Accessories
11853 Curley St, San Antonio
6 mi. from Dade City / 11 mi. from Zephyrhills 352-437-4838
352-588-2001
www.sanantonioantiquesflorida.com
Proprietor, John C. Herrmann 5
February, 2017
The AnTique DeTecTive
By Anne Gilbert
98
SILHOUETTES OLD & NEW ARE CUTTING EDGE COLLECTIBLES
Meridian Ave
Early silhouettes have been
popular with collectors for
decades. 18th and early 19th
century examples can be costly
these days when they come to
Clinton Ave market especially when they are
artist. However a new generation
579 of collectors look for examples
made in the early 20th century,
Ft. King Hwy. 301 98 modestly priced. During that
period the silhouette was one of
the most popular antique items.
39 It was considered the perfect
decorative accessory for the
revived interest in 18th and 19th
century American furnishings.
Celebrating Antiques At a recent Freeman’s
20 Americana auction a silhouette
YEARS! on the dated 1792, titled “David Silhouette of David Duncan, c. 1792.
MAin street Duncan”, watercolor and ink fetched $900. Another, a portrait of two
sisters, hollow cut and eglomise, 19th century sold for $400. Silhouettes
from the 1920s, 30s, are dealer priced on the internet for as little as $25.
ANNIVERSARY
In the 18th century, before there were daguerreotypes and
CELEBRATION
54 5th Ave. photographs, “silhouettes” were the simplest and cheapest way to
FEB. 11th
create a person’s likeness. Having your profile “silhouetted” was as much
Gall Blvd.
of a status symbol as being immortalized in oil on canvas. You have
importance. George and Martha Washington, as well as Thomas Jefferson
41 39 only to look at the list of portraits created by silhouettes to realize its
were “snipped.”
Peggy Capps, Proprietor The art forms name derives from Etienne de Silhouette, Finance
(352) 523-0999 Minister of France in 1757, who enjoyed cutting profiles as a hobby.
301
To Tampa
Those who could afford it would have their entire family profiled,
14122 7th STREET To Plant City along with a chair, clock or family dog.
Both professionals and amateurs tried their hand at techniques.
DADE CITY, FL 33525 3 Silhouettes were machine or hand cut, or, less often painted.
Then, as now, amateurs traced the profile, then snipped it out.
Traveling artists carried screens, sheets and lighted candles for casting
the proper shadows. Cutting silhouettes became a hobby for families.
Often, an entire group were turned in to silhouettes and framed. Among
the most famous is the Copp family silhouettes.
1 At the other end of the spectrum were the highly detailed silhouettes
done by William Henry Brown, Charles Wilson Peale, Augustin Edouart
and James Hubbard. Not only were they quick with the scissors, but they
cut directly by hand as their models posed.
Peale is considered among the best using the hollow-cut technique.
2 4 This was done using a sharp penknife or scissors, tracing the shadow and
3 placing the “hollowed out” section against a black background. Often,
curls and ruffles were decorated with India-ink.
CLUES: Most common are the “hollow cut” silhouettes. These were cut
out of white paper and the hollowed out part was placed against a dark
background. Those who worked in India-ink touched up black areas with
gold or silver.
Since many lithographs have been made of early silhouettes, use a
DADE CITY magnifying glass before spending too much. Don’t too much for a repro
print. Do your research.
Making silhouettes is enjoying a revival. Check out the many talented
Primitives to silhouettetists working today.
Mid-Century
Art, Jewelry,
Clocks,
Furniture,
Coins/Military
For the RARE, the UNUSUAL, the UNEXPECTED
14130 7th St.
OPEN: Mon-Sat 10-5 & for Special Events
www.topdrawerantiquesfl.com
www.facebook.com/TopDrawerAntiques
atopdrawer@tampabay.rr.com
4
Silhouette portrait of two sisters; Freeman’s Auctions, Philadelphia, PA