John Miers and John Field Silhouette Mrs Reynolds

John Miers (c.1758-1821) and John Field (1772-1848) – Silhouette of Mrs Henry Reynolds, her hair dressed in antique Roman style wearing a drop earring and lace trimmed dress, painted and bronzed on plaster, oval, 80 x 65mm, papier mache frame with gilt brass surround and acanthus hanger, broken trade label No. 12 inscribed with the sitter’s name and collector’s label on reverse. Trade label 12 was used from 1812 to 1821. It was called the “double letter” label due to Miers name being hollow. The label also includes the word “forcible” to distinguish the work from later inferior, and some say copied, work by another hand. The label was used at a time when most of Field’s best work was done, with fine brushwork and minute gold embellishment. An elegant sitter and wonderful execution make this a fine collector’s item.