Featured Admiral Nelson silhouette

Last night I won a framed 8” by 7” silhouette of Horatio Nelson in a local online auction. I’m excited about this as I have strong interest in the British Royal Navy of the period, and I believe this silhouette may possibly date to soon after Admiral Nelson was killed at Trafalgar in 1805. The silhouette is reverse-painted on glass and the frame, which I believe could be original, is finshed with maple veneer and gilt. Both could stand some restoration work. What do you think - does this look like an early-1800’s piece?

Sorry about the auction pics but I won’t have this silhouette in my hands till early next week. I can’t wait that long, though, to hear group members’ thoughts on it!

 

That looks like a woman ??? Maybe its just me !

 

Definitely a man!

 

It's not just you! It looks like a woman in a mob cap to me.
Never in a million years would I have guessed that to be a man...

 

I found a similar type pose in reverse. Sorry I have no idea about yours.

https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-41978

 

Thanks! My searches didn’t turn up this one.

 

My first thoughts exactly, a woman in a bonnet

But don't worry, I think it is a silhouette of Nelson

You've just got to look a little deeper, and I've looked

Could be a good little thing

 

Thanks! I’m confident it’s him, too, as you can see the chelengk on the hat, that Nelson was awarded after the Battle of the Nile. Not exactly a standard piece of kit!

 

Once you see it, you don't see a lady in a bonnet anymore

 

I was wondering about that. Why does the chelengk (didn’t know this word) look to be fitted to the back and not the front?(like in all the other images) Sorry,but overall Im not so sure about your image (but then again what do I know)

 

It was fitted to the upturned front brim, but off to one side. So, viewed from the side, it would be about halfway back on the head, like the silhouette. Hopefully this photo of an actor in costume helps show where it was on the front brim; of course, there was also an upturned rear brim with these cocked hats.



And, here’s an original naval bicorne cocked hat of the period:

 

This is the best photo I’ve found of the hat. Hopefully it helps explain the odd shape seen in the silhouette.

 

Thanks. I did wonder if it may have something to do with the side view and the shape of the hat. If this is of Nelson then it seems to be rare image (I also couldn’t find one like it) But honestly I think a lot of people will take some convincing.

 

I get it. Besides the chelengk, though, the silhouette has another feature peculiar to Nelson - his ponytail (or queue, as it would gave been called at the time) tied with ribbon. Amazingly, this still survives, in the Greenwich museum.

 

Yes,another thing that bothers me is that little string (looks more like a string than a ribbon) at the back of the neck. Ha ha. Just really not convinced.

 

Rare , is a way to cook meat !

It may be OOAK, but that has no bearing on it's value or desirability .....

It's not a great likeness.........

 

Was thinking of your ‘meat saying ’ when I used the word

 

No worries.........it's late and I'm just being picky !!!!!

 

this...I like better......but again.....me being me !!!


Britannica Dictionary definition of RARITY. 1. [count] : a person or thing that is not common or usual : a person or thing that is not seen or does not happen often.

 

Definitely looks like him to me! The shape of the mouth and the chin, yep, for my money that is him.

Great find @David Askett , and well done on obtaining it! I look forward to seeing more.....