03-03-201303-03-2013
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsBoston MA
2640BBoston
March 3, 2013 10:00 AMCalender
16

American School, 19th Century Still Life with a Basket of Fruit, Flowers, and a Cornucopia.

Sell one like this
$480,000$400,000
Auction: American Furniture & Decorative Arts - 2640BLocation: BostonDate / Time: March 03, 2013 10:00AM

Description:

American School, 19th Century

Still Life with a Basket of Fruit, Flowers, and a Cornucopia. Unsigned, possibly the work of Joseph Proctor, who reportedly was a black artist working in New York in the mid-19th century. Oil on canvas, 41 1/2 x 43 1/4 in., in original painted molded wood frame. Condition: Relined, scattered retouch to repaired tears, stable craquelure.

Provenance: Formerly in the collection of the late James Mitchell, Atlanta, Georgia.

Literature: American Naïve Paintings, Deborah Chotner et al., National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 1992, shows a similar still life gifted by Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch (catalogue #1966.13.7, pp. 483-485). In the notes to the entry for that still life, the present lot is illustrated (as fig. 2) and discussed. According to Betty Bagshaw of Richard A. Bourne Co., Hyannisport, Massachusetts, where this painting was previously sold, a Connecticut collector contacted the auction house to tell them that she had a nearly identical painting, hers signed by a Joseph Proctor. The collector said that Proctor was a black artist living in New York City about 1860.
Estimate $150,000-250,000

Unobtrusive sparsely scattered spots of retouch: the largest areas are spotty retouch to repaired tears: following a vertical line from the top to the bottom on the right side of the canvas, another line about 12 in. lg. at lower center, and a 2 in. dia. area just to right of white bell flower at top left of canvas, and several smaller spots of retouch.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords

Joseph Proctor, black artist, American School, Atlanta, James Mitchell, Deborah Chotner, Edgar William, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, Betty Bagshaw, Connecticut, Richard A. Bourne Co., Hyannisport, Massachusetts, New York City