Description:
Pair of Handpainted Window Shades, probably New York, third quarter 19th century, both depicting three figures in a hilly landscape with trees and a large house in the distance, overlooking the Hudson River with a steamboat and sailboats; each retains shade maker's paper label, one "Putnum's Self Adjusting Curtain Fixtures No. 54 Albany St. Boston," the other "Columbia Mills Inc." location illegible, (imperfections),approximately 91 x 41 1/2 in.
Provenance: These shades were once owned by the Van der Veer family who lived near Amsterdam, New York. They were purchased from a longstanding friend of the Van der Veers' who bought them directly from the granddaughter of C.M. Van der Veer.
Note: These shades were popular in the mid to late 1800s and were painted by professional artists or the housewife from directions by Rufus Porter and others. A copy of a photo depicting the shades as they were displayed in the Van der Veer home in the 1930's is included in the lot.
Estimate $3,000-5,000