Autumn /Winter 2008
Tranquility & Turmoil The Art of Thomas Chambers
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Polar Landscape Painting
Vernacular Voices
The Sculpture of Popeye Reed Arts & Crafts Furniture American Stoneware
Politics in American Folk Art
Advancing the Cause Philadelphia Modernism and the Pyramid Club
$6.95 US/C A N 01
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56698 28524
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An Affair of the Heart One Couple’s Collection of Impressionist Masterpieces
Thomas Chambers (1807/8–after 1866) View of Pope’s Creek Plantation (detail). Oil on canvas, 21⅞ x 29⅞ in. Inscribed (on stone marker in lower left foreground): Birthplace of Geo. Washington. Painted between 1835 and 1866.
21 East 70th Street Tel: 212.535.8810 Fax: 212.772.7237
New York, NY 10021 Email: gallery@hirschlandadler.com www.HirschlAndAdler.com
C. L. PRICKETT Fine Authenticated American Antiques
The Park Family Sideboard
Rare and Important Federal Inlaid Mahogany Serpentine Front Sideboard attributed to George Rogers, having a herringbone inlaid top, each drawer and door having flame birch cross-banding and inlaid quadrants all on tapered legs with rectangular inlaid paterae simulating columns over bellflower inlays framed with satinwood stringing, above shield and pellet-drop inlays also hedged by line inlays continuing to beautifully inlaid cuffs. In an outstanding state of preservation retaining a fine mellow patina and being all original except for the brass knobs. Concord, New Hampshire, circa 1810–1812. Width 72˝, depth at center 27⅝˝, depth at ends 19⅝˝, height 41˝. Provenance: According to family tradition this sideboard was originally owned by Stuart James Park (1773–1859) of Groton, Massachusetts. An architect and builder, his works included the State Capitol building in Concord, N.H., circa 1812. A typed card inside the top right drawer, and signed by Lawrence Park, states that the sideboard was “probably” bought by Stuart Park in 1812. 930 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, Bucks Co., PA 19067 Telephone: (215) 493-4284 Website: www.clprickett.com Email: info@clprickett.com
Clarence, Craig, and Todd Prickett Located just 25 minutes north of Philadelphia and 75 minutes south of NYC at the Newtown Exit, #49, off I-95. Hours: 10 to 5 daily, closed Sunday.
Peter H. Tillou - Works of Art 17th- and 18th-century American and European Furniture, Antique Carpets, American Folk Art, Arms and Armor, Early African Sculpture, Chinese Han and Tang Dynasty Pottery, Pre-Columbian Art, European Old Master Paintings, American y American Blown Glass,, and Native American Art. Paintings and Sculpture,, Classic Cars 1928 –1934,, Rare Coins and Medals,, Early
Important George II Mahogany and Parcel Gilt Bureau Cabinet of Very Rare Design, London 1740’s. Superb original condition and exceptional quality of craftsmanship. Height 7' 11", Width 4' 1", Depth 1' 11".
109 Prospect Street, Litchfield, CT 06759 ♦ 860.567.5706 Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 www.antiquesandfineart.com/ptillou ♦ Established 1953 ♦ By chance or appointment suggested
Peter H. Tillou - Works of Art 17th- and 18th-century American and European Furniture, Antique Carpets, American Folk Art, Arms and Armor, Early African Sculpture, Chinese Han and Tang Dynasty Pottery, Pre-Columbian Art, European Old Master Paintings, American y American Blown Glass,, and Native American Art. Paintings and Sculpture, Classic Cars 1928 –1934,, Rare Coins and Medals,, Early
This unique bureau cabinet is of the greatest interest precisely because it has in combination features found specifically in the work of three celebrated London cabinetmakers: John Channon, William Vile, and William Hallett. The “Hallett” moldings combined with other features more characteristic of Vile make it reasonable to suggest that this remarkable piece may have been made by William Vile at the time he was in Hallett’s workshop.
109 Prospect Street, Litchfield, CT 06759 ♦ 860.567.5706 Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 www.antiquesandfineart.com/ptillou ♦ Established 1953 ♦ By chance or appointment suggested
THE JAMES E . SOWELL COLLECTION BOOK AND EXHIBITION : This book covers the largest and most important collection of Chinese and Japanese export figures currently existing in the world. Collected by James E. Sowell of Dallas, Texas, there are over 170 items including over 50 bird figures, a dozen dogs, and a unique pair of leopards which are probably Imperial. An Exhibition of many of the pieces in the book will be at Sotheby’s New York from October 15–21 and you are invited to a series of lectures on Sunday, October 19 when four distinguished specialists in Chinese Export Porcelain will present individual lectures open to the public.
COHEN & COHEN PRESENT
Mandarin and Menagerie
The James E. Sowell Collection BOOK LAUNCH
/
EXHIBITION
/
LECTURES
Sotheby’s Exhibition October 15–18, 10am to 5pm Sunday, October 19, 1pm to 5pm Monday, October 20, 10am to 5pm Tuesday, October 21 10am to 1pm Sotheby’s Afternoon Lecture Series Sunday, October 19, 1pm–5pm RSVP required to 212 894 1016. Sotheby’s New York 1334 York Avenue at 72nd Street MICHAEL COHEN : A WALK ROUND THE JAMES E . SOWELL COLLECTION
Michael Cohen, with his wife Ewa, form Cohen & Cohen, the Internationally renowned dealership in Chinese Export Porcelain and Works of Art, based in Reigate, Surrey. He is co-author of Mandarin & Menagerie. WILL MOTLEY : PORCELAIN WITH FEATHERS
Will Motley was for many years a teacher in North Yorkshire. He is co-author of Mandarin & Menagerie. RONALD W . FUCHS II : CHINESE EXPORT PORCELAIN AND THE CHINA TRADE 1500–1850
Ron Fuchs II is the curator of the Reeves Collection of Ceramics at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. LETITIA ROBERTS : CREATURES IN CLAY
Popularly known for her appearances on Antiques Roadshow, Letitia Roberts is currently an independent scholar, author, and international lecturer.
Copies will be available at: January 21–25 New York Ceramics Fair February 3–8 American International Fine Art Fair, Palm Beach March 13–22 TEFAF Maastricht Book Price: $195, £97.50, ]125
T +44 (0) 1737 242180
F +44 (0) 1737 226236
P. O. BOX 366, REIGATE, RH2 2BB, UNITED KINGDOM INFO@COHENANDCOHEN.CO.UK
WWW.COHENANDCOHEN.COM
By appointment only. Located at the foot of Box Hill, the National Trust beauty spot on the North Downs, just 28 minutes from Victoria and close to Gatwick Airport.
Apple Blossoms, Saddle River, New Jersey, . Oil on canvas, x in.
The Late Oils November – December , A D E L S O N
G A L L E R I E S
east nd new york new york .. adelsongalleries.com m – f
departments
Table of Contents Autumn / Winter 2008
182
166
218
features 148
destination
182
The Twin Cities 150
lifestyle
Art Lovers by Deborah Davis 162
190
investing{in{art
Guy Rose (1867–1925) by Charles A. Riley II
11
Editor’s Letter
13
Contributors
14
Discoveries
14
Noteworthy Sale
16
Highlights
46
Events!
213
Informed Collecting: Cotswold School Arts & Crafts Furniture by John Levitties
218
Into the Woods: Furniture History at Historic Deerfield by Joshua W. Lane
225
What’s in a Name? The Science of Wood Identification by Harry A. Alden
228
selections
A Private Collection of American Stoneware by Karl H. Pass 232
Thomas Wilder: Early New England Portrait Painter by Arthur Kern
new{feature
PricePoints We have introduced a new feature to Antiques & Fine Art Magazine called PricePoints. Colored dots on dealer ads correspond to the price ranges below. Look for PricePoints in this and future issues.
Interiors of Beacon Hill, Boston by Barbara W. Moore and Gail Weesner To the Ends of the Earth: Painting the Polar Landscape by Samuel Scott
} }
Less than $15,000 $15k – 50,000 $50k – 100,000 $100k – 250,000
Of, By and For the People: The Art of the Presidential Campaign by Jeff Pressman
} } } }
$250k – 500,000 $500k – 1,000,000
}
+ $1,000,000
New Light on Thomas Chambers By Kathleen A. Foster
174
E. Popeye Reed: American Stone Carver by Michael Noland
200
museum{focus
206
Kirkland Museum of Art & Design
The John Head Project, Part I: Documenting His Work by Jay Robert Stiefel, Alan Andersen, and Christopher Storb
Advertiser Index
194 166
180
The Pyramid Club and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts by David R. Brigham
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Antiques & Fine Art (ISSN:1535-550), Vol. IX, Issue 1, is published six times a year (Spring, Summer, Summer/Autumn, Autumn/Winter, Anniversary, and Early Spring) by AFA, 125 Walnut Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Contents copyright ©2008 AFA. All rights reserved. The advertiser seeking the services of Antiques & Fine Art will indemnify and save harmless Antiques & Fine Art and its agents from any liabilities, claims, lawsuits, damages, or expenses, including attorney’s fees and costs that may arise out of publication of the advertiser’s/agency ads or materials. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information presented in this issue is accurate and neither Antiques & Fine Art nor any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Application to mail at periodical postage rate is pending at Boston, MA, and additional offices. Postmaster, send address changes to Antiques & Fine Art, P.O. Box 9723, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33310-9922. Subscription price is $24.95 for 1 year or $39.95 for 2 years. Printed in the USA. ON THE COVER: Thomas Wilmer Dewing’s (1851–1938) Lady in Lavender. Oil on canvas, 25-1/8 x 19-1/8 inches, are offset by dramatic pieces of antique furniture, including a black lacquer ebonized Art Deco bar (circa 1930) by De Coene Freres in Brussels, and Austrian neoclassical chairs (ca. 1825) made of ebonized and polished pearwood Image from Lifestyle: Art Lovers, page 150.
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www.antiquesandfineart.com
Autumn / Winter
Circling Chase The Art and Influence of William Merritt Chase and the Pursuit of Modernity
October 31–December 11, 2008
100 Chetwynd Drive, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010 Telephone: (610) 896-0680 Fax: (610) 896-8749 Website: www.averygalleries.com Email: info@averygalleries.com
From left to right: Details of Charles Webster Hawthorne (1872–1930), Provincetown Wharf; William Merritt Chase (1849–1916), Tired; Georgia O’Keeffe (1887–1986), Alligator Pears
INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Adelson Galleries, Inc..............................5 Alexander Ltd., John ............................12 Andersen & Stauffer Furniture Makers, LLC...................118 Antiquario / Villas & Cottages ............128 Archibald Portrait Miniatures, Christine ........................................130 Artemis Gallery .....................................98 Avery Galleries ........................................7 Babcock Galleries ..................................15 Bittel, Diana H. .............................86, 88 Blum, Mr. & Mrs. Jerome ....................52 Bradley Co. Antiques, Philip H. ...........85 Bressler & Company, Inc., D. K. .......120 Bridgman American Antiques, Jeff R. ..50 Brock & Co. ...................................22–25 Burns American Indian Arts, Marcy .....87
William Varieka Fine Arts 29 Bush, Inc., G.K.S. ................................34 Cantor & Co., Lawrence J. ..................62 Chalfant Antiques, H.L. .......................89 Cherry Brook Woodworks...................120 Cohen & Cohen .....................................4 Constant, Inc., Douglas .....................110 The Cooley Gallery ...............................30 Creech Antiques & Fine Art, M. Ford .........................................131 Cullity Antiques, Brian ......................133 Davishire .............................................122 Dawson & Nye Auctioneers & Appraisers...................................115 De Ru’s Fine Arts ..................................59 Dunton, David ....................................37 Eldred Co., Inc., Robert C. ................113 The Englishman..................................114 Equinox Antiques................................112 Fine Art Dealers Association..................58 Finer, Peter ...........................................11 Finkel & Daughter, M. ........................56 Flather & Perkins, Inc. ........................100 Force Fine Art, Inc., Debra ..................26 Gecker American Folk Art, Sidney .....123 Gemini Antiques, Ltd. ..........................90 8
www.antiquesandfineart.com
Giacobbe-Fritz Fine Art.......................103 Godel & Co. Fine Art, Inc. ...................27 Goldberg Fine Art, Ltd., Bernard ...........................................Back Cover Gordon, Elinor .....................................91 Graham & Sons, James ..........................9 Gratz Gallery.........................................33 Hagan, John G. ....................................78 The Hanebergs Antiques .....................122 Haradin Toys of Yesteryear, Ray .........129 Hayes, Jerry S. ....................................130 Heller Gallery, Julie ..............................79 Heller Washam Antiques .......................92 Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers ........109 The Herrs............................................100 Hill Gallery ...........................................51 Hirschl & Adler Galleries, Inc. ................................Inside Front Cover
Leo Kaplan
55
House of Heydenryk .............................75 Huber, Stephen & Carol ......................48 Jackson-Ann Gillooly, Inc., Robert .......72 Jenkinstown Antiques..........................126 Jim’s of Lambertville........................40–41 Jorgensen Fine Period Antiques, R. ....105 Jung Fine Art, Peter ..............................81 Kaplan Ltd., Leo ..................................55 Katz Americana, Allan ..........................10 Kilvington, James M. ...........................93 King Gallery of Fine Art, Roger ...........74 Kinzle Antiques, Kelly ..........................96 Kollar Fine Paintings, LLC, A.J. ...........45 Koman Fine Art ....................................28 Krainin Antiques, Bettina ...................133 Kramer & Co., Greg K. .................94–95 Latham Asian Art, Polly .....................131 Lazare Gallery .................................82–83 Lepore Fine Arts....................................57 Lindberg Antiques, Julie .....................106 Lloyd, Inc., Robert ...............................66 Lockson’s, Inc. .....................................132 Madron LLC, A Gallery of American Art................................32 Magruder, Malcolm .............................98
Mazzei Art & Antiques, P. Gerard ......132 Mill House Antiques ...........................130 MME Fine Art, LLC.............................17 Moore House American Antiques .........70 National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts ..................108 Nazmiyal .............................................131 Neal Auction .......................................119 Nichols American Antiques, Thurston .........................................69 Northeast Auctions..............................107 Ophir Gallery........................................54 Oriental Rugs, Ltd. ...............................68 Pantry & Hearth at the 1775 Barn......128 Pap Oriental Rugs, Inc., Peter ..............13 Peabody Essex Museum...............146–147 Piccolo Art ..........................................132 Pollack, Frank & Barbara .....................49
Moore House Antiques
70
Pook & Pook, Inc................................116 Prickett, C.L. .........................................1 Puckett, Charles Edwin ......................131 Quester Gallery .....................................31 Questroyal Fine Art, LLC......................21 Raccoon Creek Antiques LLC at Oley Forge ....................................97 Rainone Gallery ....................................80 Rappaport, Carol and Gene ...............117 Ricco/Maresca Gallery...........................39 Riehlman Fine Art, Franklin ..................9 Roughton Galleries, Inc. .................60–61 Ryder Antiques....................................130 Sallea Antiques ......................................67 Scherer Fine Paintings, Marty ........76–77 Schiller & Bodo ....................................62 Schwenke, Inc., Thomas ......................19 Sergeant Antiques, G.............................65 Shushan, Elle ........................................35 Skinner, Inc.........................................111 Stanley Weiss Collection .....................121 Stock Antique Carpets, D.B. ................99 Suval, Inc., Philip .................................72 Sylvan Hill Antiques ...........................133 Thayer American Antiques, Robert ....127 Tillou Antiques, Jeffrey ........................53
Tillou Works of Art, Peter ..................2–3 Tucker Fine Arts, John .......................110 Uncle Tom’s Antiques..........................126 Vallejo Gallery.......................................63 Vareika Fine Arts, Ltd., William ...........29 Veilleux Gallery, Tom ...........................43 Vintage Interiors II................................71 Willauer Antiques, Lynda ...................104 Williams Antiques, Taylor B. ................98 Williams Fine Art, Melissa ...................73 Woodbury Antiques Dealers Association .......................................................128 Yeaton Antiques, Gary F. ....................125
UPCOMING SHOWS The American Antiques Show . .140–141 The American Art Fair . . . . . . . . .135 Antiquarius — The Greenwich Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
H.L. Chalfant
89
AVENUE/Wendy Shows Antiques & Art at Park Avenue Armory .142 Armacost Antiques Shows, Ltd. . . .143 Art 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137 Boston International Fine Art Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102 D. C. Spring Antiques Show . . . . .240 The Delaware Antiques Show . . . . .84 Ellis Antiques Show . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 Haughton International Fine Art and Antiqes Dealers Fair . . . . . .134 Main Line Antiques Show . . . . . . .132 Modernism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136 Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show . . .Inisde Back Cover Palm Beach Winter Antiques Show . . . . . . . . . . . . .144 Peabody Essex Museum Antiques Show . . . . . . . . . . . . .145 Rocky Mountain Art & Antiques Show . . . . . . . . . . .144 San Francisco Fall Antiques Show . . . . . . . . . . . . .139 US Artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Washington Antiques Show . . . . . .138 Wilton Holiday Antiques Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101 Autumn / Winter
Geoffrey Dashwood An Exhibition of Bronze Sculpture November 22 – December 23, 2008
Monumental Frog Bronze 31 x 26 x 35 inches Edition of 12
James Graham & Sons established 1857 32 East 67th Street, New York 10065 212-535-5767 www.jamesgrahamandsons.com
2008
Antiques & Fine Art
9
Allan & Penny Katz Always Buying Individual Pieces or Entire Collections. By appointment. 25 Old Still Road Woodbridge, CT 06525 Tel: 203.393.9356 folkkatz@optonline.net
INDIAN WEATHERVANE American. New England origin. Circa 1890. Sheet iron with applied highlights. Original mounting rod. Original weathered patina. Measures: 35 1/2"h x 27"w Pictured: The Art of the Weathervane by Steve Miller, page 109
Visit our new website
WWW.ALLANKATZAMERICANA.COM
from the editor
I
“
didn’t shoot Henry Clay, and I didn’t hang John C. Calhoun.” This phrase was uttered by a disgruntled Andrew Jackson after completing his two terms as president in 1836. His reasoning for such emotion was based on Clay’s undermining Jackson’s first, and unsuccessful, run for president in 1824, and for what Jackson saw as Calhoun’s treasonous act of pitting South Carolina against the government of the United States — Calhoun was his vice president at the time. The power of politics to engage has never waned, and is made all the more potent by the freedom of expression. In “Of, By and for the People: The Art of Presidential Elections” (pages 206–212), Jeff Pressman, president of the American Folk Art Society, revisits the political landscape of the early nineteenth century via campaign materials created by ordinary people actively involved in the politics of their times. Regardless of its subject, imagery charged with emotion never fails to invoke our response. The extraordinary marine scenes of nineteenth-century artist Thomas Chambers, of storm tossed ships in raging seas, sunsets aglow with color, or idyllic landscapes, speak to the inner being of his audience. Chambers’ unique treatment of his subjects, with bold imagery rendered in deep hues, has made him one of the more sought-after folk artists of his time. Kathleen Foster, curator of American art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art points out (pages 166–173), this maverick style of painting has earned Chambers the title of “America’s first modern artist.” Unlike Chambers who based many of his paintings on published sources, the artists who ventured to the Arctic and Antarctic between the 1830s and the 1930s were painting from life. Adventure, scientific interest, and spiritual quest were among the motives that drove such artists as Frederic Edwin Church and later, Lawren Harris to accompany voyages to these unforgiving regions. Samuel Scott presents (pages 200–205) monumental works that record the hauntingly beautiful aurora borealis alongside the destructive forces of encroaching ice — images originally devoured by a public eager to see these strange lands, once only fantasy. Great interest always surrounded the annual painting exhibition held at the now defunct Pyramid Club, formed in Philadelphia in 1937 to expand social and cultural opportunities for the African-American community. Art took center stage from 1941 through 1957 when the club held its annual exhibitions in tandem with those at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Local and nationally known artists, both African-American and white, showed their work, encouraged by the exhibition manager Humbert Howard, an artist and integrationist. Though criticized at times for his inclusiveness, Howard stood firm, believing that “art should be judged on its merits [and] not by the race of its maker.” The rich cultural exchange between the two institutions led to many acquisitions by PAFA, notes director David S. Brigham (pages 182-189), including works by Horace Pippin, Julius Bloch, Jacob Lawrence, and other important modern artists.
Peter Finer SPECIALISTS IN ANTIQUE ARMS, ARMOUR AND RELATED OBJECTS
A VERY FINE GERMAN ‘SWORD OF JUSTICE’, SOLINGEN, dated 1664 We are always interested in purchasing single items or complete collections of antique guns, pistols, swords, armour and cannon in any quantity. We travel the world in our search for fine examples.
Enjoy,
Johanna McBrien johanna@AntiquesAndFineArt.com
2008
38 & 39 DUKE STREET, ST. JAMES’S, LONDON SW1Y 6DF TELEPHONE: +44 (0)20 7839 5666 FAX: +44 (0)20 7839 5777 FROM USA & CANADA TEL/FAX: 1 800 270 7951 E-MAIL: gallery@peterfiner.com www.peterfiner.com
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1 8 6 0 – 1 9 2 0
Rose Bowl The Newlyn Industrial Class English The design attributed to John MacKenzie Repoussee Decorated and Patinated Copper H-13" D-16" Cat. No. 069-001-2007
1 0 – 1 2 W E S T G R AV E R S L A N E , P H I L A D E L P H I A , P E N N S Y LVA N I A 1 9 1 1 8 TEL:
(215) 242-0741 •
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