Americana & Folk Art

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Well-executed fully painted silhouette (not cut) of a handsome gentleman with long side whiskers.  This beautiful silhouette is heavily embellished with yellow watercolor which gives the silhouette the effect of having gilt enhancements but without the glaring quality that this much gold leaf would project.  It's a really stunning silhouette.  The original papier mâché frame measures 5" x 6 1/4" and has quite a bit of well-worn craquelere which I think enhances the overall display.  The two bottom corners of the frame are dinged through the ebonized finish.  There is a gilt embossed paper stamp applied to the reverse of silhouette card which reads "College of Physicians & Surgeons Keokuk, Iowa". Then another circle of words "Keokuk Iowa University" over a coiled snake. On December 1, 1850, the College of Physicians and Surgeons located itself in Keokuk in a seven-story building at Third and Palean Streets. Keokuk was a medical center until 1908 when the college merged with Drake University in Des Moines.   The History of Keokuk Website  The silhouette is circa 1820 so the stamp must have been added later.  It is possible that this gentleman applied the stamp upon graduation of medical school.

(#4641)    Sale Pending

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