Folk Art Appliqued Needlework Picture of a Family Outing

Description:

Folk Art Appliqued Needlework Picture of a Family Outing, Burlington, Vermont, area, c. 1810, a whimsical artistically arranged, detailed composition of appliqued, solid, and printed cotton and silk shaped fabric segments stitched to a linen foundation with silk embroidered details, depicting eleven family figures: at the center the mother, wearing a polka-dot dress is seated in a chair holding a bouquet of flowers and a book; the father is holding his clay pipe and poised to pick a cluster of flowers from a small tree; flanking the couple are nine young adults and children, amongst them are two sets of girl twins. The older twins, wearing matching striped gowns and blue polka-dotted bonnets are fawning over and grasping the arm of a young man in a striped suit. The younger twins, also wearing matching floral-printed gowns, are holding a red parasol between them, and one is holding a leash to their dog; also in the picture are two young ladies: one is holding a green parasol, the other has a posy in each hand, and a little girl stands between them wearing a pink dress and holding a small purse. Finally, a young man with his long gun and a powder flask slung across his chest stands next to them. In the foreground are a line of sheep, chickens pecking grain, and two cats; in the background two large trees are arched over the tableau with two squirrels scampering up one trunk, a black cat perched on a branch high above the father's head, and several birds stitched among the other branches. The whole scene is enclosed in an appliqued undulating line border, (minor losses and toning),24 1/4 x 25 in., in original or period painted molded wood frame.

Provenance: Family descent. According to the consignor the work belonged to Dr. Frank Falby, M.D., of Burlington, Vermont. It was handed down to his son Sidney Nelson Falby and his wife, Eleanor Weston Falby of Burlington, Vermont. Their son [Richard Falby] inherited it when his mother died in 1973. It had always hung in the Burlington, Vermont house. [He/Dick] remembers, as a child, being told that if the house ever caught fire that the picture was the most valuable article in the house and he was to carry it out with him. He was told that it had been created by his great, great, etc. grandmother in the early 1800s. Interestingly, the consignor reports there are multiple sets of twins in the Falby family.
After moving to California, the consignor brought the needlework to a framer where it was restretched and put back into the original frame. The framer was impressed with the work and brought it to the attention of the Los Angeles Museum of Art, which asked if the picture could be displayed there, and upon agreement, was exhibited there for 5-6 months in 1974.
Estimate $40,000-60,000

Fairly even toning and some fading, small losses to a few silk segments.


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.

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