John O'Neill
Relief
May one see it?
Yes, receiving visitors
Victoria and Albert Museum
RoomBritish Galleries, Room 120, The Wolfson GalleriesLondon, United Kingdom
On public display.
- Checked
- 7 days ago
- In this state since
- Sep 25, 2026
- Source
- The museum's own collection data
About the sculpture
Object Type
This vase of flowers has been created out of cut paper. Cut paper work was a popular pastime from the late 17th century, although there are examples by artists from before then. This example is more sophisticated than the work of most amateurs. As a three-dimensional piece, it has required even more skill than that normally demanded of the paper cutter. Each flower has had to be created individually, and then the individual parts of the design united to create an ensemble.
People
The locket is inscribed on the back in an 18th-century hand: 'Honble Mrs O'Neile, August 1786'. This is probably the Honourable Mrs John O'Neill (1756-1793), born Henrietta Boyle. Mrs O'Neill's title was 'the Honorable' because she was the daughter of a Lord, in her case Charles Boyle, Lord Dunganon.
Ownership & Use
Read on
This is a particularly small and accomplished example of cut paper work. This object has not merely been created as an exercise, even if such intricate work was considered beneficial for the sight. The locket setting seems to be original, sealed with wax, and is likely to have made a handsome gift for a friend or relative of Mrs O'Neill.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Particulars
- Accession number
- P.26-1963
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum: the museum's own open data · fetched 7 days ago
- Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
