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  PENNSYLVANIA, PAINT-DECORATED AND GILDED SETTEE WITH THE RARE INCLUSION OF BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES, ca 1845-1865
Dimensions (inches): 34.75" tall x 72.25" wide x 21.5" deep, 17 3/8" seat height, 19.5" seat depth
Description:
Paint-decorated Pennsylvania settee of the mid-19th century (1845-65), in a classic, half-spindle-back style, with an triple angel wing crest rail. The reddish-brown background is beautifully trimmed out in carriage paint style pin striping, but the really marvelous element is contained on the theorm-like registers on the crest rails and horizontal back slats. These are brightly painted in blue, green ,red, and yellow over silver gilding, and include not only fruit, as-is expected on most decorated settees of this era, but with large birds, which are a rare element.

Included in the imagery is a plethora of fruit and fauna, consisting of melons, grapes, plums, peaches, strawberries, and cherries. Three pairs of songbirds face one-another, stooping to examine the butterflies and flanking overflowing baskets of plenty. These are positioned as the central images on each panel. All of this is thoughtfully adorned with stenciled, gold scrollwork and geometrics.

The theme is then continued on the lower slats and the front edge of the seat. The overall result is a very colorful and well-executed example of Pennsylvania German folk art on a piece of rural-made, paint-decorated furniture.

Condition: The overall condition is simply remarkable for the period. There are two small areas on the seat, one approx. the size of a silver dollar, and one slightly larger, with paint loss, and there is a minor water stain on the seat. Otherwise there is minor expected. I can minimize these if desired, but they are small.
   
Primary Color: brown, red
Earliest Date: 1845
Latest Date: 1865
For Sale Status: Available
Price $9,500
E-mail: info@jeffbridgman.com
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