Antique American Portrait Miniature by Abraham Parsell

Peggy McClard Antiques

Americana & Folk Art

Attributed to one of my favorite American folk portraitists is this beautiful portrait miniature of a lovely young woman. The artist Abraham Parsell was born in Neshanic, New Jersey in 1791. Unlike most portrait artists of the early 19th century who worked as itinerants, Parsell worked in New York City from as early as 1820 and for at least 36 years. Later works are distinguished by his use of "long, elegant fingers, pronounced eyelids, and penetrating eyes, set against a stippled background." Sitters often hold a book or rolled newspaper or document, eyeglasses and, rarely, a family pet. Sitters' clothing is stylishly depicted, often with elaborate jewelry and hairstyles. Backgrounds of many later portraits "have a dramatic sunset appearance, with clouds of blues, oranges, and pinks. Shades of brown stippled pigment are often included in the background either alone or in conjunction with the atmospheric clouds."

This lovely young lady is a classic Parsell work of art. She wears her hair tightly curled around her face, the back pulled into a knot on the top of her head which is held in place by a large tortoise shell hair comb. Her earrings consist of a starburst gold attached to the earlobe with an ebony black center, then long dangles of ebony framed in gold. She wears a long necklace of ebony beads. Her low cut dress drapes across her bustline and her black lace tucker is held in place by a gold and ebony brooch. Her waist is cinched tight and at the natural waistline with a black sash into which she has tucked a watch or portrait miniature. She holds a book in her proper right hand. Her penetrating dark eyes look directly at the viewer from her slightly turned head. The background is achieved with the stippled sunset appearance for which Parsell is so famous.

This lovely lady resides in a reproduction pendant frame with chased metal edge and hanger. This is the type of frame which Parsell used. The back, like most of Parsell's frames, has a hair receptacle with black silk behind the glass lens which is surrounded by chased decoration. The frame is gold wash over brass (as were Parsell's frames). The pendant frame measures 2 1/2" x 3 3/8", not including the very top hanging loop.

(#4785) Price on Request

Quote above from DiCicco, Vincent and Fertig, Howard P., "Abraham Parsell, Miniature Painter", Antiques & Fine Art (8th Anniversary Issue). (Online article found at antiquesandfinearts.com).

Other references:

Falk, Peter Hastings, ed., Who Was Who in American Art 1564-1975. Sound View Press, Madison, CT. 1999. 2529.

Rumford, Beatrix T. American Folk Portraits Paintings and Drawings form the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Center. New York Graphic Society, 1981. 146-147.

Please see the Folk Portrait Artists page for more information about Abraham Parsell.

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