Jeffrey S. Evans & Assoc., Inc.
Live Auction

November 19, 2022: Premier Americana - Day Three

Sat, Nov 19, 2022 09:00AM EST
Lot 2200

PUFFY SLEEVE ARTIST (NEW ENGLAND, ACTIVE C. 1820), ATTRIBUTED, FOLK ART HOLLOW-CUT SILHOUETTE OF A WOMAN

Estimate: $6,000 - $9,000
Sold for

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$200 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$30,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
PUFFY SLEEVE ARTIST (NEW ENGLAND, ACTIVE C. 1820), ATTRIBUTED, FOLK ART HOLLOW-CUT SILHOUETTE OF A WOMAN, an outstanding example, executed in watercolor, three-quarter length depiction of subject sporting deep blue high-waisted dress with organdy-type sleeves and white collar, her hair arranged with prominent comb, paper bears faint period pencil inscription verso, frame backing board with various inscriptions, including "done by Chamberlain" and "New London, NH". Housed under glass in period, possibly original, molded gilt wood frame with wire ring hanger, pine and oak secondary. Circa 1830. 3 5/8" x 2 5/8" sight, 5 1/4" x 4 1/8" OA.
Literature: Payne, Michael and Suzanne - "Unmistaken Identity", The Magazine Antiques July / August 2014.
Provenance: From the collection of Kathy and Dr. Joseph Arvay, Mendham, NJ.
Northeast Auctions, 4/17/2009, lot 972.
Catalogue Note: Possibly the only known Puffy Sleeve Artist-attributed silhouette to include a parasol, branch, and bird in the composition, the present profile portrait stands out as an exceptional example of the artist's oeuvre specifically and an important work of American folk art more generally. In recent scholarship, Michael and Suzanne Payne argue in their 2014 article "Unmistaken Identity" that the Puffy Sleeve Artist is actually Ezra Wood (1798-1841), a wood turner and silhouette artist who lived in Buckland, Massachusetts.

Condition

Excellent overall condition with very minor toning. Frame with minor surface wear.