Wall & Desk Vignette, with Details of Each Piece

Three Pieces...
New England Painted Paneling
Eighteenth Century
White pine
As depicted, each panel in ancient oyster-white paint that appears to be over a soft blue paint that was very popular during the eighteenth century. The only traces of blue are in areas originally under muntins that are now exposed due to two-hundred years of shrinkage. It is possible that the original pigment was fugitive; the paint now changed by light and chemistry to that which is depicted.
Nonetheless, a thin layer of paint on nicely compartmentalized and molded sections that are perfect for decorating. 1) 83.5 x 47.5 inches; 2) 83.5 x 13 inches; 3) 51.5 x 22.5 inches.
Price: $3,485
775-277

American School 19th Century
Portrait of Handsome Gentleman
Attributed to Frederick Mayhew
Circa 1825
This work, oil on panel...depicts a handsome blue eyed man with cockscomb hairdo; he wears dark blue jacket with brass buttons, white shirt and cravat. The painting is mounted in what appears to be the original molded gilt-wood frame measuring 26 by 29-inches. The work remains in fine original condition; cleaned and re-varnished. Mentioned for accuracy is the subtlest curvature to panel.

According to Deborah Chotner in American Naive Paintings, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Frederick W. Mayhew was born in Chilmark, Massachusetts on Martha's Vineyard July 6, 1785. He married Zelinda Tilton April 10, 1802 and had one child Lucinda who was born in 1812. The couple moved to Morgan (now Noble), county in Ohio sometime after 1830. "He may have painted landscapes after moving to Ohio: the History of Noble County describes him as a landscape painter and a sailor...Mayhew's known works are all portraits dating from his years on Martha's Vineyard, where island lore holds that he mixed Gay Head clay with dogfish oil to make his paint...the artist's style is characterized by subtle facial modeling, close attention to details of costume...backgrounds are generally solid and neutral...Mayhew died on October 17, 1854 and is buried in the Tilton family cemetery in Cambridge, Ohio." American Naive Paintings, National Gallery of Art, Washington, page 254.
Price: $8,250
121-133

An Elegant French Pillar Candlestick
A large and fine interpretation
16th Century
All elements except the base are cast in one; the beautiful molded socket with pronounced flare is pierced and is above the flat bottomed drip tray with a convex molded rim. The lower shaft exhibits entasis and is raised on a generous concave base with pronounced rim and outward tapering foot. The stick remains in fine original condition including the original lathe-centering pimple and turning lines on the underside. Height: 9.75-inches; diameter of base: 5.5-inches.
Price: $4,250
843-6

OUTSTANDING CURLY MAPLE
SLANT FRONT DESK
WESTPORT, MASSACHUSETTS
CIRCA 1790
This attractive southern Bristol County desk is constructed of dynamically figured curly maple throughout. The slant front writing surface rests on slide-out lopers to reveal a fitted interior. The interior has three banks of drawers, the top two have two short drawers centering a double height center drawer; lower has two long drawers and a short center drawer. Each of the drawer fronts is constructed of vigorously grained sycamore. Sycamore is commonly found in South coastal Massachusetts furniture and its use is a strong regional characteristic. The case has four graduated thumb-molded drawers whose fronts are made of bold and vibrantly grained tiger maple; drawers are mounted with period oval brasses and pressed brass lock escutcheons. The case rests on beautiful ogee bracket feet stylistically inspired by nearby Rhode Island shop traditions. It should be noted that although the feet resemble those found on pieces from Providence and Newport, they show the regions style and flair in their bold returns and platform base. The desk retains a rich old surface with a mellow patina that enhances the contrast of the tiger maple. The desk is in excellent condition with an old surface that may be original; brasses are old period replacements.
The desk was acquired in the 1970's from a home directly across the street from the Westport Fire Department and is illustrated in, "Harbor & Home; Furniture of Southeastern Massachusetts 1710-1850". Page 209, plate 71.2. It was also exhibited in the show relating to the volume, at Winterthur, Spring 2009.
(Height: 42 ?-inches; width 38 ?-inches; depth 19 ?-inches.)
Price: On Request
270-62

If you are interested in buying any of these items, please call (978) 597-8084 or email David Hillier at drh@aaawt.com or Lynn Morin at lfm@aaawt.com

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