Macabre Set of Silhouettes
American or English: Mid 19th Century
American or English: Mid 19th Century
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Witches, Doctor, and Death 7 Hand-cut silhouettes on paper American or English: mid 19th century Sizes vary 2 x 4 1/2 inches smallest 4 x 7 inches largest $750, the set |
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A unique macabre set of seven silhouettes telling the story how death (in the form of a skeleton) came to take a doctor (by cutting a piece from him), but the witches, feeling sorry for the doctor, fought off death and brought the doctor back to life. The grateful doctor thanks the witches. The witches are shown in traditional form, with pointed hats flying on brooms.
Pencil inscriptions on each silhouette describe the story: Number 1: Death grinding his knife an Imp helping Number 2: Death feasting on the Doctor Number 3: Some Witches seized with pity come to the Doctor's Assistance Number 4: The Witches flying away with Death Number 5: Patching up the Doctor Number 6: Restoring him to Life Number 7: He bids his friends Adieu! Condition: Generally very good, with the usual light toning, wear overall. Few small losses of black silhouette paper, could be restored as desired. Corners of each cut on the diagonal. Currently four are mounted on one larger brown sheet, and the other three are mounted on another sheet, but they can be removed from the backing sheets and displayed differently. |