Anon., Antique Papercut Silhouette – Lion & Donkey – Late 19th-century Scherenschnitt

Anon. Antique Papercut Silhouette – Lion & Donkey

Prezzo di listino: €91,95

Prezzo di vendita: €91,95
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View the full Collection: Papercut Silhouette Scherenschnitte: 19th-century Fulford Collection

An original late 19th-century watercolour painting – Antique Papercut Silhouette – Lion & Donkey.

A beautiful, minutely detailed silhouetted scene, meticulously cut in black paper and laid down on cream paper.

The style of the papercut suggests it is by a German artist of the 19th century. German scissor cuts, or Scherenschnitte, would often feature motifs from folklore, fairytale, nature and the Bible. The exceptional quality of the cutting indicates that this was a professional silhouette artist. It resembles the work of Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach (1851–1913).

The cream backing is 'Parkins & Gotto, London' paper and it bears the blind embossed crest of the Fulford family of the Great Fulford estate in Devon. The family motto is 'Bear Up' and the crest comprises a bear head encircled by a strap and buckle. It seems quite likely, therefore, that the silhouette was subsequently mounted onto the backing by the Fulford family. Parkins & Gotto produced paper in London from 1849 onwards. The paper possibly post-dates the creation of the silhouette itself.

This is one of a series of beautiful, miniature silhouettes by the same hand that we have for sale.

On watermarked 'Parkins & Gotto, London' laid paper with embossed blindstamp crest 'Bear Up'. Please note the small size of this artwork. The backing paper extends to double size and is folded to provide a protective cover sheet for the silhouette (see photos).

Papercut Silhouette Scherenschnitte: 19th-century Fulford Collection

Papercut craft, originating in China in the 6th century, spread west via trade routes to Europe, arriving in Germany by the early 17th century. It developed as a traditional folk practice named Scherenschnitte (scissor cuts). With the popularity of the Regency portrait silhouette, in the 18th and into the 19th century black cut paper on white became fashionable to collect amongst wealthy Europeans. Popular subjects were stories and motifs from folklore, fairytale, nature and the Bible.

The papercuts in this collection are German in style. The exceptional quality of the cutting indicates that this was a professional silhouette artist. It resembles the work of Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach (1851–1913).<p></p>The cream backing is 'Parkins & Gotto, London' paper, bearing the blind embossed crest of the Fulford family of the Great Fulford estate in Devon. The family motto is 'Bear Up' and the crest comprises a bear head encircled by a strap and buckle. It seems quite likely, therefore, that the silhouette was subsequently mounted onto the backing by the Fulford family. Parkins & Gotto produced paper in London from 1849 onwards. The paper possibly post-dates the creation of the silhouette itself.