I know what it is, but what's it called?

[Francais]

This is the only one like it that I've seen. and I would really like to do some research on it. But I don't know what it is called. First to describe it I would say it is a type of silhouette, made out of silver foil, with a few layers. It is close to a type of work done by Kirstein in Strasbourg in the early 19th c. He made repoussee medallions, but also occasionally also added another layer of silver, to give a 3 dimensional effect. This, I presume is a little later, and was probably an effort to mass produce a work of art. I would think that they made a stamp to produce a number of repoussee sheets out of silver foil. The brass/bronze ornament on the frame is also stamped or rolled out with a hunt scene on it. The hanger has a more military theme, and the frame itself is fairly typical for a miniature frame, except of course it is more horizontal than vertical. The idea was obviously to produce a decorative item, in series. I would guess that if the seal is broken, the silver would tarnish, and the item would often be wrecked. Otherwise I would think this would have been quite a successful idea, and more commonly found.
My guess is it is from Alsace or Germany. But I will be happy with a name in either French, German, or any language that will give a Google result. I have tried to find another piece comparable is all three languages, but no luck.
By the way the lable on the back is that of a well known silhouette collector.
Maurice

[DianaGaleM]

I'd call it a "shadowbox." I've never seen one in layered silver, before, but I've seen some exquisite Chinese ones with landscape scenes rendered in mother-of-pearl. And, of course, layered paper ones are common.

[Vayne]

Good call on the shadow box. It is a really exquisite design, very beautiful. Did you look up the company any? Maybe you can find others which would lead to a name?

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[DianaGaleM]

No, I didn't look up the company, I just recognized what it was. My family has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area since the 1850s, and visits to the San Francisco Chinatown and the San Jose Chinatown were always a treat – both to shop and to eat! I remember seeing exquisite little shadowboxes in a number of materials. I never saw one like yours, made of layered silver, but the idea is the same.

[JayT]

The layered paper technique is also called 3D decoupage and/or paper tole.

[Francais]

I sometimes think I am not good at explaining some things in any language. I'll give it another try.
Google in my opinion is one of the greatest inventions as far as the researcher is concerned. Years ago I found a portrait miniature I was sure was painted on one of the French Islands. It was signed, but I couldn't get anyone to agree with me on the signature, and it was not listed in any of the lists of miniature artists. It was subsequently pictured in the most advanced, and complete dictionary of French miniatures. No one knew where it was done or by whom. Every so often I would try a Google search. Every year Google adds more info. Finally I found a reference, very obscure, to the artist. Then I eventually identified the sitter. Something that would have been impossible even 5 years ago.
On this piece, I would like to find others, in collections, sold at auction, whatever. But I don't know what it is called and a search on Google requires a commonly accepted name. As far as I am concerned we can call it "Fred", if a Google search (preferably on images) will turn up a similar one. I am afraid shadowbox is a description of the frame, not the work itself. The proof is that a search on Google images under "shadowbox" or "silver shadowbox" just turn up silver items in a shadowbox frame. I thought decoupage was better, and in fact I think I tried that search a long time ago. So this time I tried again. I also tried "3d decoupage silver" "argent decoupage" "silver paper tole" even silver decoupage shadowbox" and a number of other variations. No luck.
I am certainly willing to say this item is so rare it has no name. In which case I may call it Fred. But before I do I would like to find a name for it, that would turn up another example on Google search. Any suggestions?

[oel]

Hi Maurice,
I know, not the answer you like to hear but for what’s worth, to my knowledge those three dimensional boxed constructions are always described in magazines/adds or at auctions like; three dimensional scene composed out of; cut paper, chewed paper or papier mâché or composed of metal foils, fabric scraps, leather, feathers, ivory and any other suitable material. No common name available and sometimes called 18-19th century folk art.
Perhaps this may cheer you up http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/cornell/
Or:
https://www.google.nl/search?q=three+di ... f&tbm=isch

Best,
Oel.

[Francais]

I am not sure that it has a name in English, but I would think it does in French or German.
Try looking up Scherenschnitte, without using the name, you wont get much. Thorne rooms are another example. I am sure I can come up with some other examples. What you found were mostly shadowboxes filled with memorabilia, or art and crafts kind of stuff. I can say categorically, this is not Folk Art. Someone tried to make something he could sell relatively cheaply on a mass scale. He took the time to make the frame match the scene. He may have failed, and only made a few examples, but he intended to make a lot. It is possible that the silver started to discolor when the seal broke, or perhaps people just didn't think much of them. I am not sure what the rules are about reproducing pictures from a book, but this is very reminiscent of the work of Kirstein, but just a little later. Unfortunately his pieces are just described as Medallions, or whatever.
Maurice

[MCB]

Hello Maurice

Yahoo has a listing which suggests Desmond Coke's collection was sold by Sotheby & Co on 22nd July 1931 and there was a catalogue printed.
The label suggests the item could have been part of the sale. Perhaps the auctioneers can help by reference to their catalogue archive to say what it's called, when and by whom it was made?
Regards,

Mike

[JayT]

The Museum of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg describes works in this style by Jacques-Frédéric Kirstein (active 1795-1838) plaques en relief ciselées montées. According to the catalogue, Kirstein used cast and chased silver sheets, and sometimes added cut out silver foil to increase the 3-D effect of the foliage. Most were hunting scenes, but some were pastoral landscapes or religious themes. He acquired international celebrity with these objects, which were sold to be framed or mounted on various forms, so it is no surprise that somebody tried to make reproductions using a less laborious technique with less expensive materials. The museum holds Kirstein’s complete drawings; you might contact them to see if your item is a reproduction of a known Kirstein piece, and if they are familiar with the technique used in your object. I have found the staff there to be helpful. Good luck with your research!

[Francais]

Thanks for the info Mike, I have never had much luck getting info from auction houses. I think you've got the right word JayT. RELIEF is the same in all three languages. I tried adding silver and boar hunt in all three languages, no luck. But i did see a large piece three dimensional with attached pieces, identified as South German. Sure enough there are pieces, again large, of a 3d nature, which they call relief in the Augsburg books. I think it is probably German, and except for "relief" there is no special name. I suppose it was a good idea that didn't work out, or didn't catch on.
Thanks, but if anyone sees another I would like to hear about it.
Maurice