George Henry Hall’s Still life of Red, White and Blue Flowers in the muzzle of a Springfield Rifle will be auctioned at along with 74 works by American and European artists from the 16th through 20th centuries at Keno auctions June 12. The painting belonged to the Late Ms. Delia P. Frissora of Watertown, Mass, who died last year. It was loaned to Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in 1972. It was also the subject of a recent post on Urban Art and Antiques.
The Drake Family Carved and Painted Joined Chest hammered down at $510,000 at Keno Auctions Important Americana, Paintings, Furniture and Decorative Arts this morning. Estimated at $100,000 – $150,000, the chest set a record for a 17th century joined chest at $642,400 ( including the BP). According to the auction website, the joined chest is the most elaborate and fully developed American Colonial three-panel chest known. It has survived in remarkable condition, retaining its original surface and much of its original painted decoration. It was possibly originally owned by John (1622-1688) and Hannah (Moore) Drake (1616-1686), of Windsor (later Simsbury), Connecticut. It might also have been a wedding gift for their son, Enoch Drake (1655-1698), who married Sarah Porter (1655-1730) on November 11, 1680. This chest descended to Enoch and Sarah Drake’s son, Enoch (1683-1776) and his wife Elizabeth (1685-1717) and next to their daughter, Elizabeth (1707-1802), who married John Gillett (1707-1800). It continued through successive generations of the Gillett, Ward and Riddle branches of their family directly to the current owners.
Americana Week has begun. Yesterday perhaps the first event of the week was a gallery talk at Keno Auctions ”American Still Life Painting in the 19th Century,” with Dr. William H. Gerdts. There’s a good deal of excitement and enthusiasm around Americana Week this year. The American Wing Galleries are re-opening at the Met and the much anticipated Duncan Phyfe show is at last on there.
It could be the Renaissance of interest in American art and decorative arts we’ve been waiting for. It’s not that it had gone anywhere, just that the roots of our artistic legacy have been overshadowed in recent times by later objects and contemporary art.
The excitement around Americana Week, which this year for the first time is chronicled by its own web site, AmericanaWeek.com, is supported by the opening this past November of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. There was a lot of criticism surrounding putting a number of America’s great works of Art out there in the hinterlands, but perhaps it’s this provincial attitude that America is just the 13 colonies that’s held us in the doldrums. I recall someone in the industry telling me not so long ago he didn’t understand why Texans would like old (I suppose meaning before Texas became a state) things American because– “It has nothing top do with them.” On the contrary, it has everything to do with us, meaning us as a whole.
Here in Dallas there’s a wonderful collection of American decorative arts at the Dallas Museum of Art, and a superb collection of Hudson River Paintings at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. Yes, this too is America.
Another event this year may have helped resurrect the interest in historic Americana. The renovation of the galleries at the New York Historical Society. It wasn’t the renovation itself, but the fact that it allowed the opportunity for these masterworks to travel. They were in Fort Worth this summer, helping the Amon Carter celebrate its 50th Anniversary.
If you need more evidence of the pendulum swinging, consider that as we speak, American landscapes are on view at the Louvre in France. Yes folks, the French are looking at our art. Not our Warhols and Lichtensteins, but our Thomas Cole’s. It’s called “American Art Enters the Louvre.”
The editors of the online magazine about art and antiques, Urban Art and Antiques, put together this short list of some of the wonderful items that can be found at auction houses in New York during Americana Week.
Point the Way with Advertising Art
Advertising art is a hot commodity whether it be prints, hand-painted signs or carvings like this one. Offered by Christie’s at its Important American Furniture and Folk Art January 20, this sign seems to be the source of a number of clip art images, many of those originating in 1920s-era advertising. This is advertising art with emphasis on the art, it is skilfully carved after-all. 20th Century. ($3,000-$5,000).
Goes with: Just about anything- can be used with any decor. Place it on a mantle, in a bookcase, on a wall shelf pointing upstairs or towards the facilities.
Over the Top Belter Meridienne
Early American furniture can be traced to English origins and the work of Thomas Sheraton, Thomas Chippendale and George Hepplewhite. When we reach the mid 19th Century we meet up with a German-born fellow named John Henry Belter. Although his work is described as Late Baroque or Rococo-Revival (France), we might look at the carving and think about ornately carved Black Forest pieces. Belter opened his first cabinet shop in New York 1844 at 40-1/2 Chatham Street and would go on to create numerous parlor sets for wealthy New Yorkers. The concave shapes wee made using 6-8 layers of rosewood that was assembled and then intricately carved. His work can be seen in a number of museums including the Met, the Brooklyn Museum and Bayou Bend in Houston. This Meridienne is offered at Christie’s Important American Furniture and Folk Art sale January 20. ($3,000-$5,000).
What is a Meridienne anyway? A short sofa of the French Empire period having one arm higher than the other.
Goes With: This one needs a special place. A talented interior designer might be able to work around it, but you may just find yourself considering a complete Rococo room.
Moravian Owl Bottle
A newly discovered and rare Moravian owl bottle from the Salem area of North Carolina is being offered in Bonhams Fine American & European Furniture and Decorative Arts auction during Americana Week. Moravian potters produced these press molded animal bottles in the early 19th century, many of which may have been used for dry spice storage. The Moravians settled in three states, Pennsylvania and Georgia, in addition to North Carolina which distinguished itself as one of the most important pottery centers in colonial America due to the talent and resourcefulness of its first potter, Gottfried Aust. Bonhams says two kinds of owl bottles where made but no known molds have been found making this a very rare example. Apparently there were only four known bottles in the owl form and this is the fifth example. Interest from museums is expected. (est. $60,000-80,000).
Goes with: Given the rarity, you probably won’t want to use it for spice storage. A nice display cabinet, secured if you live in an area prone to earthquakes. It will look great with antique or modern decor.
Levi Wells Prentice – Currants Growing On a Vine
Levi Wells Prentice only followed John Ruskin’s Pre-Raphaelite principles to certain extent. In this small work offered at Keno Auctions January 17, he used his own vocabulary to illustrate the true-to-nature doctrine. The clarity and precision rendered in the currants an exceptional quality of illusion. Not only are the colors are vibrant, as always in his other signature pieces, but also one can feel more currants under the shadow through his mastery in capturing red in subtle shades. Whether those fruits spreading on the ground is for the case of the composition or to attest natural bounty is up to debate, but it shows that the impression of the reality by a great artist can give one the truth that is greater than reality itself. ($8,00-$12,000)
Goes with: A small still life adds a sense of serenity to any room. They are especially fond of dining rooms.
Ammi Phillips – Portrait of a Winsome Young Girl in Red with Green Slippers, Dog and Bird
What else is needed to make it more iconic Americana than this picture? A young girl with attentive eyes, a loyal dog, a well-trained bird with colors that steal the show, the red dress, the green shoes that echo with the table cloth and the seat cover. It is a beautiful design: curves and lines express a sense of fluidity. The colors are exceptional and vibrant. And the face is rendered with sensibility that is not common in other child portraits by Ammi Phillips. To some extent, she looks almost sensual, with an adolescent vulnerability. Offered at Sotheby’s Important Americana: Furniture, Folk Art, Silver, Porcelain, Prints and Carpets January 20-21.
Goes with: This is a portrait that is of museum quality and would bring up attentions to any visitor if hung alone on a wall. The sitter has not been identified, but with more scholars working in the field, it would add additional fun to the future owner to get involved in the research of the provenance and the life story behind Ammi Phillips. ($300,000-$500,000)
