Nice original pair of American silhouettes dating to circa 1830 here cut by Justin Salisbury in their original circular pewter frame likely made by Samuel Pierce. These Americana pieces are quite rare. They are in their original bubbled glass. The woman's silhouette seems to be backed with period flint paper, while the man's uses black silk. 

The woman's frame is out-of-round, measuring about 83 x 87 mm. It seems to have been that way for many, many years, if not original. Pewter being softmetal, I could, with little effort, correct it but decided not to, as I did not want the thin original glass breaking on me, and the backside seems to be well sealed. And, the way it is now seems to add a quaint character. The man's frame measures about 85mm all around.

The woman's hair has nice touches in graphite, as well as very finely cut sprays of ribbon at 9, 12, and 5 o'clock positions. The portrait is very confindentally cut without any defects. Although the man has its original identification pasted onto the reverse backing, the name being such a common one, it's not possible to identify him beyond it. Again, the portrait is very cut cut without any defects. The bust shares some similarities to those silhouettes cut by Chamberlain and Banton. But then, this style was popular ca.1830, so they cut what they could sell. 

This is a very nice original pair with everything untouched and in fine condition. I am sure they will find a nice new home very quickly!