Cryer, George

Gender:
Male
Date and place of birth:
bapt. 10.01.1766. Lowerhead Row, Leeds, Yorks.
Date and place of death:
bur. 10.11.1834. St. Martins-in-the-Fields, London
Worked:
(fl) 1810-1816
Known places of work:
68 Cornhill and 98 Fleet Street, London
Known techniques:
Cutwork using "Patent Machine"
Known materials:
Paper and card.
Frames:
Reeded ebonised wood
Signature:
Unrecorded

Introduction:

GEORGE CRYER was not himself a profilist but employed or rented space to the anonymous "FIRST ARTISTS" mentioned on his trade label at his premises in Cornhill and Fleet Street. In 2022 a second work with a partial trade label was discovered. This bronze highlighted profile is of markedly better quality than the work illustrated by McKechnie. However, with only 2 extant works now recorded the identity of Cryer's artists will likely remain unknown.

McKechnie illustrates the less well-painted profile and its trade label. Presumably using the "Patent Machine" mentioned, the silhouette is cut and highlighted in gold. "Correct Likenesses" are offered at 2s.6d and 5s, the latter charge being for highlighted work. Miniatures in colour were offered at 10s.6d and "a great variety of gilded and gold frames" were also advertised.

McKechnie suggested Cryer's "FIRST ARTISTS" worked in the 1830s, however land tax records show Cryer only occupied 98 Fleet Street betwween 1810-1816.

Born in Leeds, the son of a cloth dresser, Cryer was a Liveryman of the Barbers' Company. Directories record him as a Ladies' Haircutter and an "Ornamental Hair and Perfume Manufacturer". In his will of September 1834, he describes his occupation as a Theatrical Wig Maker of Deans Court, Covent Garden.

Revised 6 July 2022 (Brian Wellings)

Additional research about George Cryer:

Source: McKechnie (Author of, British Silhouette Artists and their Work 1760-1860)

Cryer, George (McKechnie Section 1)