STEVEN S. POWERS - January Teaser 2012

STEVEN

S.

O R T E M OW SH R E S A TE 2 1 20 W O R K S O F & a n t i q u e s

P OW E R S

A R T

360 Court Street #28, Brooklyn, NY 11231 | 718.625.1715 or 917.518.0809 | burlsnuff.com | member: ADA

The 'Washington' Lafayette Presentation Gold Button Circa: 1825 Medium: Gold (from North Carolina) Size: 13/16" (20mm ) When General Lafayette, hero of the American Revolution and dear friend of George Washington returned to the United States in 1824-25 he visited the then 24 states of the Union and received a hero's welcome. The firm Leavenworth, Haydon & Scovill of Waterbury, CT, purchased a large nugget of North Carolina gold from Ladd’s on Wall Street, NY and made plans to fashion a set of buttons with the image of George Washington in the center to present to Washington’s old friend and fellow American Revolution commander. When the buttons were finished they were displayed at Mr. Ladd’s store until they were presented to Lafayette.

After Lafayette's death, the buttons were lost to history, when in the late 1880's an English maid, Margaret Thornton found eleven of them amongst the general’s effects in the attic of Lafayette's family manor, La Grange (outside of Paris). Ms. Thornton was given one for her find and dutiful service. The other ten were again lost to history until the 1950's when they were rediscovered and put on display in the Lafayette Museum. The Thornton button remained quietly in the family until the late 1960's when the story of Ms. Thornton and her discovery of the historic buttons came to light.

The button herein is the Thornton button and remains the only one known in private hands.

This exceptional piece of history will be offered at the The Metropolitan Show, where for the first time in 187 years it will return to New York City.

Literature: Davis, Edward, H., The Lafayette Presentation Button 1824, Mattatuck Historical Society, 1959 (updated from 1951 after the rediscovery of ten originals) Illustrated and discussed: Albert, Alphaeus, S., Record of American Uniform and Historical Buttons, SCS Publications, 1977, pps. 408-413

“Thank you, gentlemen.

They’re MAGNIFIQUE!”

The partners, Leavenworth, Haydon & Scovill from Waterbury, CT present the ‘Washington’ gold buttons to General Lafayette. Lafayette was said to exclaim, “Thank you, gentlemen.

They’re Magnifique!”

...at 30 Wall Street, a lump of pure gold, found in Mecklenburg County, N.C. which has been sold...for the purpose of making a set of buttons for Lafayette.

—Nile’s Register, NY

October 23, 1824

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...a set of Buttons, with the head of Washington on them, manufactured of North Carolina Gold ... another example of the skill of American artists.

—New York Gazette July 7, 1825

Back side reads: "PRESENTED TO GENERAL LAFAYETTE • BY L. H. SCOVILL • BUTTON MANUFACTURERS • WATERBURY CON" Tie pin attached to back circa 1915

Cast Iron Gate Weight Mid 18th century Size: 10 1/2" H

Sublime simplicity—remarkable surface. New England, purportedly Massachusetts. The sun face is an ancient symbol and crosses many cultures—the above may have been associated with a Masonic lodge as the sun (sometimes shown with a face) was key to Masonic imagery.

Stoneware Bust of an African American Circa: 1880 Size: 5 3/4" H

Arresting bust marked, "WM. M. DEE ESQ. 164 E. Adams St. Chicago, IL." Dee was a sewer tile manufacturer. Eyes, teeth and collar detail in white clay. Has the power of Edgefield Pottery.

Illustrated and discussed: Maresca, Ricco, American Primitive, Alfred A. Knopf, 1988, p. 85

Clarke Fitz-Gerald (Maine 1917-2004) Eye of the Needle Medium: Elm Circa: 1977 Size: 35"W x 33"H

Fitz-Gerald mainly did public commissions and his work is represented at many universities, libraries and parks. This work was created for the 1977 inaugural exhibit at The Joan Whitney Payson Gallery of Art, Westbrook, ME.

Exceptional Folk Art Seascape Maine Island Oil on Canvas Board Circa: 1870 Size: 18" x 24" (sight) | 24" x 30" (frame)

A single hilly Maine island within a Milton Averyesque composition with vibrant waves leading to a private beach.

J. Marsching, NYC artist board label on back.

(l) Female Iginga, Lega culture, 19th–20thC, Brooklyn Museum (74.66.1) - note posture and triangular notch in pelvis; (r) Akuaba Figure, 19th–20thC, Akan peoples; Ghana (Metropolitan Museum (1979.206.75) - note posture and flat disc shaped head.

African-American Made Andirons Circa: 1820 Size: 14 3/8" H

Male and female figures with ridged posturing — communicating power. These diminutive andirons were found in Jackson, Tennessee and are believed to be slave made. Similar postures are found on African power figures (see above).

Southern Folk Art Keepsake Box found in South Carolina Polychrome on relief carved wooden box Circa: 1930 Size: 9 1/2" H

Book form box carved in high relief on all sides with a man and woman holding hands, black cat, woman holding a compact mirror, initials ‘WB’ and the cartoon characters, Mutt & Jeff.

The interior with compartments, the side with a concealed drawer.

Alonzo Blanchard, Albany New York George Washington Circa: 1843 Size: 10" H A first rate rendering of Washington— casting is crisp and refined. Beautiful surface.

Fragment of a dumb stove that Blanchard patented in 1843.

Let The Dice Fall Where They May Collection of 3326 Bone Dice Circa: late 18th-late 19thC Sizes: vary from 3/16" - 1/2"

A remarkable collection of 3326 American, British and Continental hand-made bone dice.

Some marked with tax mark, GR "Georgius Rex."

American Folk Art Carpenter’s Stick Circa: 1820-40 Profusely carved hardwood trade stick with over 60 carved Size: 42" H

implements relating to the woodworking trade; including a 12" ruler, Jesus upon the cross, axe heads, chisels, clamps, planes, compasses, saws, augers, etc....all over a stippled and snow flaked ground. Top capped with pewter. Wood appears to be mahogany. Extraordinary object.

STEVEN

S.

P OW E R S

SHOW LOCATION

SHOW DATES AND HOURS

THE METROPOLITAN PAVILION 125 W 18TH ST. 10011 (BETWEEN 6TH/7TH AVE)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19 | 11 AM–7 PM FRIDAY, JANUARY 20 | 11 AM–7 PM SATURDAY, JANUARY 21 | 11 AM–7 PM SUNDAY, JANUARY 22 | 12 PM–5:30 PM

GALA PREVIEW WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18 | 6 PM—9 PM

W O R K S O F & a n t i q u e s

A R T

360 Court Street #28, Brooklyn, NY 11231 | 718.625.1715 or 917.518.0809 | burlsnuff.com | member: ADA