Rare American Tinsel Painting of Fruit c1875
browse these categories for related items...
Directory: Antiques: Decorative Art: Folk Art: Pre 1900: Item # 1027337
Directory: Antiques: Decorative Art: Folk Art: Pre 1900: Item # 1027337
Please refer to our stock # a1175 when inquiring.
Leslie Antiques Ltd.
View Seller Profile
By Appointment
New York, New York 10128
(212)348-9073
Guest Book
View Seller Profile
By Appointment
New York, New York 10128
(212)348-9073
Guest Book
SOLD
SOLD
This is an unusual, wonderful, and beautifully done folk art example of a tinsel or foil painting. The vast majority of tinsel paintings are of flowers. This rarity depicts a bluebird hovering over a basket filled with pears, a melon, and apples. A cluster of cherries, and bunches of grapes and foliage surround the basket. Colors are deep and very vibrant, and include blues, purple, brown, various shades of yellow and green, white, reds, and others.
This is an unusual, wonderful, and beautifully done folk art example of a tinsel or foil painting. The vast majority of tinsel paintings are of flowers. This rarity depicts a bluebird hovering over a basket filled with pears, a melon, and apples. A cluster of cherries, and bunches of grapes and foliage surround the basket. Colors are deep and very vibrant, and include blues, purple, brown, various shades of yellow and green, white, reds, and others.
Tinsel paintings of this type are almost a completely American form, becoming highly popular around 1860, and continuing into the mid 20th century. Earlier pieces, such as this one, were done by reverse painting on the glass, and the foil was not colored, but picked up its hues from the paint on the glass it was backing.
Often, tinsel paintings show substantial loss, scratches, and paint lifting. This particular one is is superb condition, with virtually no problems. The very fine gilt over gesso frame is original, as is the wooden backboard. The sight size is 11 inches by 9 inches, and the framed size is 14 1/8 inches by 11 5/8 inches.
