Description:

Washington George

George & Martha Washington Silhouettes, with Excellent Provenance!

 

Two silhouettes of George and Martha Washington, the first bearing a "Peales Museum" stamp, and the second signed by artist Beatrice Kendall as "B. Kendall." The oval-shaped silhouettes are laid down on double-sided black stock paper with typewritten captions. Accompanied by a February 22, 2011 TLS establishing provenance. Silhouettes in very good condition, with overall toning. Mat with some wear, the whole measuring 8.125" x 11." Would present well framed!

 

George Washington is a negative space silhouette shown in profile facing right with his head encircled by 13 stars. Bearing a "Peales Museum" and eagle stamp at bottom. Matted behind black stock, the actual size of the silhouette measuring 5" x 7."

 

Martha Washington is a positive space silhouette comprised of cut black paper with gilt hand-painted accents. The First Lady, in beribboned mob cap and kerchief, is shown in profile facing left. Signed "B. Kendall." at lower right, the silhouette measuring 3.5" x 5.25."

 

The silhouettes were acquired by retired business executive and former U.S. Ambassador Walter Sherman Gifford (1885-1966), who collected antiques. A February 22, 2011 typed letter signed by Gifford's descendant Richard Gifford Deaner of Augusta, Georgia establishes a chain of ownership. Deaner has also included 2 of Ambassador Gifford's business cards.

 

"The silhouette was owned by Walter S. Gifford, my great-grandfather, who was U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. and who was President of AT&T during the first half of the 1900's. Also, Walter worked closely with almost all of the presidents from 1910-1960 including Woodrow Wilson, Herbert Hoover, and Harry Truman. Walter was an avid collector of fine antiques and historical items. I inherited this silhouette in the 1990's…"

 

The Peale Museum was established in Philadelphia by colonial portraitist Charles Wilson Peale (1741-1827) to house natural history, botanical, and archeological specimens. The museum produced numerous silhouettes  between 1810-1830. Colonial Revival reproductions produced in the early twentieth century were also popular.

 

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