Dummy Board Figures — Two-Dimensional Figures in Trompe l'Oeil
Original paintings on board

Sometimes called Silent Companions or cut out Boards, these figures were very popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. They were used as summer fire screens, pretend servants and visiting card holders — or simply as trompe l'oeil jokes to fool the unwary guest! PastMastery revives this old craft and offer a range of figures covering the whole history of the dummy board. It's like having instant ancestors!

These figures have many decorative uses. They'll beautify the fireplace in summer, brighten a dull corner, create a focal point at the top of the staircase, or patiently hold your hat like an attentive servant of old. However you display them, they're sure to be delightful conversation pieces.

You can even have your own face or those of your children painted into an historical figure, to stand in your home or even in MINIATURE to stand in your own dollshouse. Just send us a good portrait photograph.

PastMastery also paint cats and dogs! Have your pet painted as a dummy board-small or full sized - again all we need is a good photograph. In fact there is very little we cannot paint as a dummy board both full sized and miniature. Please visit our Customs Order page.

Click on the Miniatures page to see one twelfth figures for the dollshouse or roombox. You can also commission 1/24th dummy board figures for the smaller home.

So -you could have a Frenchman in the fireplace, a servant on the stairs and your children (seen and not heard) in the sitting room. Now that really would be a novelty!

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