Before photography, capturing the likeness of a loved one was tricky business. Painted portraits proved too costly for most, but a silhouette required nothing more than paper and scissors.
These "shades" became popular in the late 18th century, when wives kept them as mementos of husbands at war and friends sent them to each other through the mail. Now that they're nearly 100 years old, these early-20th-century silhouettes are also considered collectible.
Bold and graphic yet intricately detailed, these profiles are head and shoulders above the rest.
Courtesy of CountryLiving