A Trompe L’Oeil Painted Pine Fireboard, 18th Century

Likely Massachusetts, Late 18th Century

with a series of painted imitation Delft tiles to perimeter and sponge paint-decorated base.
Height 30 1/2 x width 44 1/4 x depth 4 1/2 inches.

According to Nina Fletcher Little, the board was found in an upper chamber of the Ebenezer Waters house in Sutton, Massachusetts. She mused that Winthrop Chandler (1747-1790), who completed other painted panels for the Waters house, may have painted this board as well. (See Nina Little, Little by Little: Six Decades of Collecting American Decorative Arts [New York City, New York: E. P. Dutton, 1984] p. 91).

Exhibited in Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts, The Tavern Ballroom, From Nature or Fancy: an exhibition of chimneypieces, boards and other examples of painted interior woodwork done in New England, October 11-November 11 1952.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Provenance:

Mrs. Gordon Wood, 1952;

Sotheby's, New York City, New York, The Bertram K. Little and Nina Fletcher Little Collection, January 23-26, 1994, Lot 292.

In overall fine and stable condition. Minor surface wear, scratches and losses to paint, consistent with age. Separation to two panels along seam, with associated later paint to the width, particularly to the lower panel. Another notable area of later paint to the center of the top panel.

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Ben Fisher

Managing Director, Furniture and Decorative Arts

[email protected]312.447.3270

Mr. Fisher rejoined the firm in 2019 after working as a specialist in the American Furniture and Folk Art department at Sotheby’s New York. His areas of expertise include 18th, 19th, and 20th century American, Continental, and English furniture, decorative and folk art. Before coming to Hindman in 2013, Mr. Fisher worked in European Furniture and Decorative Arts in Philadelphia. He began his career working for a prints dealer focusing on works from the 16th through the 20th centuries.

Leah Vogelpohl

AVP, Specialist, American Furniture, Folk, and Decorative Arts

[email protected]513.666.4960

Ms. Vogelpohl joined the firm in 2013 as a cataloger in the American and European Furniture and Decorative Arts department. She became a department specialist in 2017, focusing on American decorative arts and silver. She received a BA from the College of Charleston and an MLITT in Art History from the University of Glasgow.

Katie Benedict

Associate Specialist, Furniture & Decorative Arts

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The Donald F. Moylan, M.D. Collection of American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts, Part I

A Trompe L’Oeil Painted Pine Fireboard, 18th Century

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