Child holding a peach
New England, circa 1845
Oil on canvas, 30 x 25 inches, with original gilt frame
Cleaned and lined, one repaired tear, with minor scattered in-painting to small areas of loss.
Please contact us for full condition report.
This portrait is an important discovery among the small known group of full-length child portraits by George Gassner. For biographical information on Gassner see David A. Schorsch, “The Myth of G. Gustemer and the Recognition of George Gassner,” Antiques & Fine Art, Anniversary issue 2015.
Provenance:
Robert L. Foster Auction Co., Newcastle, ME; September 3-4, 2016;
New England private collection
Vermont, circa 1780-1820
White pine, original grain painted, original iron cotter pin hinges andiron lock and key, 23 ½ x 39 ¾ x 17 ½ inches
In a fine state of preservation; minor overall wear and usage appropriate to age.
Please contact us for a full condition report.
This is a classic example of an early New England “six board” blanket chest with scalloped boot-jack ends and original iron cotter pin hinges indicative of late eighteenth century manufacture, likely decorated in the early 19th century with boldly painted black brushwork decoration on an unusual moss-green background.
Provenance:
By descent in the Compton family of Vermont; David A. Schorsch, New York, 1992; Private collection.
Published:
David A. Schorsch, A Sampler of Recent Acquisitions II (New York, 1992), unpaginated.
Wisconsin, circa 1880
White pine, iron wire legs, with original paint, height 5 ½ inches
In a remarkable state of preservation
Please contact us for full condition report
This rooster shares common authorship with a small group of bird sculptures from rural Wisconsin circa 1880. Oral tradition maintains that the maker was a deaf-mute farm worker. This rooster was discovered in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, stored for over a century sealed in a glass display cabinet. As a result it survives in the most exceptional and pristine state of preservation with vibrant colors beautifully retained.
Provenance:
By family descent, Black River Falls, WI; David A. Schorsch and Eileen M. Smiles, 1999; Private collection.
Southern United States, circa 1880-1900
Maple, original painted decoration, brass ferule
Length 37 inches
Please contact us for full condition report
We consider this to be the finest Southern alligator cane known. While most folk art canes are carved in a shallow-relief, this example features a large and wonderfully stylized and sculpted full-length alligator, fully three dimensionally carved, with bold profile, textured skin, glass eyes, and open mouth with fine metal teeth. It has survived in outstanding condition, the original painted decoration having a dry surface and nice wear to the ball-shaped handle. For examples of the more typical style of alligator cane see George H. Meyer, American Folk Art Canes, Personal Sculpture (Bloomfield Hills, MI, 1992), pp. 38-41.
GEORGE GASSNER (1811-1861)
Child holding a peach
New England, circa 1845
GEORGE GASSNER (1811-1861)
Child holding a peach New England, circa 1845 Oil on canvas, 30 x 25 inches, with original gilt frame Cleaned and lined, one repaired tear, with minor scattered in-painting to small areas of loss. Please contact us for full condition report. This portrait is an important discovery among the small known group of full-length child portraits by George Gassner. For biographical information on Gassner see David A. Schorsch, “The Myth of G. Gustemer and the Recognition of George Gassner,” Antiques & Fine Art, Anniversary issue 2015. Provenance: Robert L. Foster Auction Co., Newcastle, ME; September 3-4, 2016; New England private collectionGrain-painted lift-top chest
Vermont, circa 1780-1820
Grain-painted lift-top chest
Vermont, circa 1780-1820
White pine, original grain painted, original iron cotter pin hinges andiron lock and key, 23 ½ x 39 ¾ x 17 ½ inches
In a fine state of preservation; minor overall wear and usage appropriate to age.
Please contact us for a full condition report.
This is a classic example of an early New England “six board” blanket chest with scalloped boot-jack ends and original iron cotter pin hinges indicative of late eighteenth century manufacture, likely decorated in the early 19th century with boldly painted black brushwork decoration on an unusual moss-green background.
Provenance:
By descent in the Compton family of Vermont; David A. Schorsch, New York, 1992; Private collection.
Published:
David A. Schorsch, A Sampler of Recent Acquisitions II (New York, 1992), unpaginated.
Rooster
Wisconsin, circa 1880
Rooster
Wisconsin, circa 1880
White pine, iron wire legs, with original paint, height 5 ½ inches
In a remarkable state of preservation
Please contact us for full condition report
This rooster shares common authorship with a small group of bird sculptures from rural Wisconsin circa 1880. Oral tradition maintains that the maker was a deaf-mute farm worker. This rooster was discovered in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, stored for over a century sealed in a glass display cabinet. As a result it survives in the most exceptional and pristine state of preservation with vibrant colors beautifully retained.
Provenance:
By family descent, Black River Falls, WI; David A. Schorsch and Eileen M. Smiles, 1999; Private collection.
Alligator cane
Southern United States, circa 1880-1900
Alligator cane
Southern United States, circa 1880-1900
Maple, original painted decoration, brass ferule
Length 37 inches
Please contact us for full condition report
We consider this to be the finest Southern alligator cane known. While most folk art canes are carved in a shallow-relief, this example features a large and wonderfully stylized and sculpted full-length alligator, fully three dimensionally carved, with bold profile, textured skin, glass eyes, and open mouth with fine metal teeth. It has survived in outstanding condition, the original painted decoration having a dry surface and nice wear to the ball-shaped handle. For examples of the more typical style of alligator cane see George H. Meyer, American Folk Art Canes, Personal Sculpture (Bloomfield Hills, MI, 1992), pp. 38-41.