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Rufus Porter
Portrait Miniatures
Scarce Frontal Views
.....sale pending
Princeton, Worcester County,
Massachusetts, ca. 1830-1835.
Watercolor and graphite on paper. Attributed to Rufus Porter (1792-1884) a celebrated artist, musician, teacher, inventor, and founder of Scientific American magazine. Facing views by Rufus Porter are quite rare, as most by Porter are in profile.
Although not painted at the same time, based on information on the backs of the frames, these portraits portray father and son. Amos Babcock, (1760-1835), and his son Leonard Babcock (1794-1841); frame sizes 5 1/8 inches x 4 ¼, and 5 5/8 x 4 ¾, respectively.
Reference: “Revisiting Rufus Porter” Suzanne and Michael Payne, The MAGAZINE ANTIQUES, January 28, 2020. From a private Pennsylvania collection.
Small Keg with Buttonhole Joinery
New England, ca. 18th to early 19th century.
Ash bands and pine body. Terrific color which may be a mix of brown paint and rich natural patina. Both top and bottom secured with interlocking bands, known as buttonhole joinery. Flattened on one side to permit stable filling; may also be stood on either end. Very robustly made.
About 9 7/8 inches long. May have been used for water, or rum. From a private New Hampshire collection.
Sweet Little
Painted Basket
.....SOLD
New England, ca. 3rd quarter, 19th century.
Possibly in ash, retaining its original crusty dry thin red paint. Fixed handle, with coiled footed base. Well patinated where unpainted-inside and underneath. Excellent condition. Probably used to collect berries or perhaps eggs. Just about 4 ¼ inches to the top of the handle, diameter about 5 inches.
19th century little baskets in paint and in this condition are hard to find. .
Striking
Parcheesi Gameboard
.....SOLD
Discovered in an estate in Alburgh, Vermont, this 19th-century Parcheesi gameboard captivates with its dramatic design.
Pinwheel corner decorations seem to spin around the central "HOME" field. The lettering, artfully integrated into the ladder spaces, lends a distinctive charm. The color palette—black, green, mustard, white, and red—creates a striking contrast against the unpainted wood edges.
Robust two board construction, with frame joined via large cut nails. About 20 ¾ inches square.
A visually dramatic piece, it has been part of a private collection since 2001.
Brilliant 2-Sided Polychrome Gameboard
American, ca. 1870
Two beautiful gameboards in one, painted by a skilled coach-painter.
Checkers-Chess on one side, backgammon on the reverse. The checkers side has a clever gold border which gives the illusion of a "raised" playing field, enclosed within another green border decorated by pin striping and corner cartouches. All within another gold border and “square” cut-nail applied picture frame molding.
The reverse backgammon personalized with initials within a central medallion centering precisely rendered geometrics. Finely crazed surface; expected minor abrasions. About 16 inches square by 1 inch thick.
Provenance: Long time top-shelf Southern gameboard collection. .
THE
PUFFY SLEEVE ARTIST
.....SOLD
SCARCE PAIR
of Silhouette Portraits
Pictured in the
Magazine Antiques
Massachusetts, ca. 1830. Hollow-cut silhouettes with gouache on paper.
It’s been 20 years since I last handled a pair by the Puffy Sleeve Artist, who is now believed to be Ezra Wood. Profiles by the Puffy Sleeve Artist are immediately recognizable given characteristics like the distinctive way their bodies are turned toward the front while their heads remain in profile, woman wear the fashionable dress of that period with exaggerated puffy sleaves and iconic little hands at their tiny waists, men have broad chests, and both women and men have hands that are oddly shaped and colored. They often hold books (sometimes date 1830 or 1831) or other accoutrements.
From the Magazine Antiques, July/August 2014 “UNMISTAKEN IDENTITY”, Michael & Suzanne Paine and Sam Herrup: “For Americana and Folk Art collectors, among the most sought after silhouette portraits from the early 19th century are those produced by an individual who has been nicknamed the Puffy Sleeve Silhouette Artist”. The article makes the case that the Puffy Sleeve Artist was Ezra Wood, Buckland, Massachusetts. In that same article is pictured this pair of portraits, page 127, of Harriet and John Wilder, and notes that they are of an unusual larger size for this artist. Harriet has a particularly beautiful profile.
The portraits are in excellent condition with minor toning. The frames are probably original. Frames each about 6 x 5 inches.
Until recently in a long time Maine collection.
In addition to the Magazine Antiques, see “A LOVING LIKENESS”, the collection of Ray Egan, for many more examples and more detailed information on the characteristics that identify portraits by the Puffy Sleeve Artist.
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