Pair of Paint Decorated Leather Fire Buckets

Description:

Pair of Paint Decorated Leather Fire Buckets, America, c. 1821, the fire buckets centered with painted clasped hands flanked by "No. 1" and "No. 2," above an oval cartouche inscribed "F.W. MITCHELL," another smaller oval inscribed "1821" flanked by a banner inscribed "MUT'L FIRE SOCIETY" with foliate borders against a black painted ground, red painted collar (handles and handle loops replaced, losses around one rim, paint losses),ht. to top of bucket 12 1/2 in.

Provenance: Ex collection of Betty Sterling, New York City.

Literature: These fire buckets are illustrated in American Country: FOLK ART. Created by Rebus, Inc., published by Time-Life Books, 1990, on the cover and on p. 154.
Estimate $4,000-6,000

no evidence of repaint, 3, 2, and 1in. areas of loss around rim on one bucket, which is also slightly slumped to one side. 2 1/2 in. vertical tear to other, rt. , of date.

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