A History of Footstools

Peggy McClard Antiques

Americana & Folk Art

	A pair of well-executed folk art watercolor portraits on paper of a lovely young couple. She wears a beautiful 1840s dress with large leg-o-mutton sleeves (often called "puffy sleeves" in order to entice people to believe the piece done by the "Puffy Sleeve Artist" whether portrait or silhouette). The exaggerated sleeves add to the image of the lady's tiny belted waist. She wears rings on the ring finger and index fingers of her left hand. The right hand holds a book to show her education. The pink bowed scarf at her neck is adorned with a brooch. The ringlets at the side of her face are held by barrettes. Gold drop earrings hang below the ringlets. The artist has depicted the braid of hair on the top of her head with charming naïveté. The lady sits upon a wood chair with a curved arm with turned rail. Her husband holds a newspaper. His black tailed coat and black weskit are beautifully detailed in black with gum arabic highlights. He is quite handsome with slight mutton-chop whiskers down the side of his face. His blue eyes contrast his wife's brown eyes. These lovely portraits are painted on paper that has been laid onto cardstock. The lady suffers from a tear from the right edge of the paper about the height of the top of the chair arm and traveling through her midsection. The repair has been well-repaired....you will have to look closely to find it. Both have a little foxing throughout. The reside in possibly original 9" x 11" deeply coved wood framed with a dark, original finish. Gilt liners separate the glass from the paintings. Circa 1840. (#4343) Sold


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