Carved and Gilded Wooden Sea Serpent Figural Medallion

Description:

Carved and Gilded Wooden Sea Serpent Figural Medallion, Nahant, Massachusetts, 19th century, the winged serpent with coiled fish tail carved in high relief is mounted on a round, black painted wooden plaque, the back impressed with the name "R.C. WILSON," (weathered surface, gilt and paint losses),dia. 31 in.

Provenance: The plaque was bought c.1985 from the estate of Royal C. Nelson, a resident of Nahant and whose name is impressed on the back of the medallion.

Note: "Rock Temple" also known as the "Witch House" is an octagonal gabled wood and stone open pavilion where this medallion was once mounted. The pavilion was once part of Maolis Gardens, an amusement park and garden built in 1859. The "Witch House" got its nickname from a cave nearby, which was rumored to have sheltered witches escaping persecution in Salem. Maolis gardens was dismantled in 1892 but the pavilion still stands to this day. The medallion offered is the only one known to be in existence.

Literature: Accompanying the medallion is a frame containing three early 20th century framed photographs depicting three landmarks of the seacoast town of Nahant including Pulpit Rock, Egg Rock, and Rock Temple or the "Witch House," showing two sides of the pavilion with medallions mounted on the gables. Also included in the lot are two books and two booklets: one book, Images of America NAHANT, by Christopher R. Mathias and Kenneth C. Turino, has a chapter on Maolis Gardens and has a photo of the medallion mounted on the pavilion; another book, NAHANT, by Stanley C. Patterson & Carl G. Seaburg also has a photo of the pavilion and related text; a booklet produced for the Nahant establishment Hotel Tudor, pictures "Rock Temple"; a 1914 booklet The Maolis Club History of Nahant, Massachusetts, published by the Maolis Club in 1914, also pictures the structure.
Estimate $4,000-6,000

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