Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
Home  /  Folk Art  /  Paintings





  RARE MASONIC TRACING BOARD OF EXQUISITE QUALITY AND LARGE SCALE, IN A DESIGN MODELED AFTER THAT OF MASTER-ENGRAVER THOMAS KENSETT, PAINTED IN OIL ON CANVAS, circa 1815-1840
Dimensions (inches): Framed - Approx. 79" x 48", In its original narrow, poplar frame (overlapped by present frame) - 74" x 43"
Description:
Tracing boards were tools used to instruct new tenants in the Masonic order. Surviving examples like this one are exceptionally rare and the few that exist are largely institutionalized. Executed in oil on canvas, impressive in scale and with fantastic folk style, this one was structured in the likeness of an 1812 work by Thomas Kensett (1786-1829) of New Haven and Cheshire, Connecticut. Probably removed from the wall of the early 19th century building in which it was used, the stretcher is affixed to wide, hand-planed poplar planks and framed in a narrow molding that would have been the center-most portion of a section of paneled wall.

Provenance: Taylor B. Williams Antiques (former Winter Antiques Show exhibitor, now deceased). Found along the Ohio / Kentucky border. Illustrated on back cover, Magazine Antiques, 2012.

Condition: The work may have been lightly cleaned at one time, but it's largely untouched, which is quite remarkable given the usual state of 19th century, oil on canvas paintings of this scale.

Mounting / Framing: We added a maroon/burgundy red-painted, hand-gilded and distressed molding around the narrow poplar frame that was already on the board.
   
Primary Color: Multicolored
Earliest Date: 1815
Latest Date: 1840
For Sale Status: Available
Price Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281
E-mail: info@jeffbridgman.com
Page Views:... 8948