1839, United Kingdom

1839, United Kingdom

Identifier
S.2039-1986
Collection
Material
Technique
Depiction
Dimension
24 cm (height)
21 cm (width)
Production time
Production place

Description

Tinsel print depicting Mr R. Honner as the Fire King, published by Park in 1839. The actor is dressed in a white silk tunic over green armour decorated with fish scale link patterns in metallic foil. He also wears a plumed helmet with a gold and crimson crown around its base. He is leaning to his left, with round shield ornated with a dragon on his right arm. He is standing on a beach and mythical creatures are visible in the sea behind him. Wooden frame. This print shows the actor Robert William Honner in the role of the Fire King in The Silver Palace.Honner is dressed in a white silk tunic over green armour decorated with fish scale link patterns in metallic foil. He also wears a plumed helmet with a gold and crimson crown around its base. He is leaning to his left, with round shield ornated with a dragon on his right arm. He is standing on a beach and mythical creatures are visible in the sea behind him. This print was originally published in 1839 by A. Park in Leornard Street. it appeared on sheet number 6 accompanied by an image of Mr.Mr. G. almar as the Water King. Tinsel prints were created from etched portraits of theatrical stars in popular roles they played on the London stage. They were hand-painted in watercolour and decorated with scraps of material and tinsel additions. They were popular during the first half of the 19th century and were considered an adult, rather than a child's hobby. By the 1830s it was possible to buy the tinsel, leather and feather ornaments to go with each image.