Americana & Folk Art
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Peggy McClard Antiques Americana & Folk Art |
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Fantastic 18th century fraktur-type watercolor painting of a beautiful
yellow bird with a red head and green tail (perhaps a naïve depiction of
a pheasant). The bird stands on a small ochre-colored hill at the
base of a small leafy shrub. Above the bird is a burst of
peony-like flowers. The bird looks over her shoulder at her nest
which is yellow and in which two red hearts lay. The area around
the nest is cut away (a very unusual feature). The cut out portion
is surrounded by a squiggled red border between a large flower or clutch
of red eggs above and a peony-like flower below. At the bottom of
the painting are two lines of German script. I did my best to
construct the words so I could take a stab at having in translated
online, but the flowing script is illegible to me. This circa 1790
painting was reputedly found in a Berks County, Pennsylvania estate
between the pages of 1787 Book Of Psalms. I wasn't the one who
found it nor did I purchase it from the estate, so I can't confirm that.
However, it is definitely late 18th century and it is likely from
Pennsylvania German country. The early wove paper measures 2 11/16 x 4
1/2". (The method of making wove paper was developed circa
1780.) There is a light crease horizontally across the middle
(which is almost always the case with fraktur because it was usually
folded and placed in the family Bible). Also expected
discoloration....but really very little. I've lightly hinged the
paper atop acid free paper which I've framed in a wonderful 19th century
mortised frame with great early dry painted surface. Because the
frame is mortised and early, it is a bit askew (I love that!).
This is a fabulous piece of early American folk art in very good
condition for its type. Thanks to a helpful reader, the text which reads "Lieber w ohnen ganz allein, als der [?] ergeben sein" translates to "I'd rather be alone, than to be devoted to [?]". Interesting sentiment but makes sense with the lone bird. (#4544) $1150 |
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