Americana Online
Description:
Patriotic Sand Picture in a Bottle with Ship Wm. H. Cookand Eagle, Andrew Clemens, McGregor, Iowa, 1888, multicolored sand arranged in a glass bottle, one side of the bottle portraying the sailing vessel Wm H. Cook identified above, with two smaller distant vessels, dated 1888 below, the reverse depicting an eagle in flight and an American flag; with wavy line, marbled, and geometric borders, ht. 6 3/4 in.
Note: Andrew Clemens was born in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1857. At the age of five he became deaf after a bout of encephalitis. He earned his livelihood by painstakingly arranging colored sand with a few hand-made tools to make pictures in glass bottles, selling them for only a few dollars. The sand came from the naturally colored sandstone river bluffs near his home in Iowa. He worked in McGregor, Iowa, and for a short time he made the pictures and exhibited his work at a South State dime museum in Chicago, Ill.
Estimate $20,000-30,000
One dinner plate has a tiny rim chip, one cup has a hairline crack.
Items may have wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. 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 shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Keywords
H. Cook, H., Chicago, DubuqueStephen L. Fletcher
Partner/Executive Vice President and Chief Auctioneer
Director of American Furniture & Decorative Arts
508-970-3000
Christopher D. Fox
Vice President
Director, Historic Arms & Militaria
Associate Deputy Director, American Furniture & Decorative Arts
508-970-3200
Paul O’Hara
Business Administrator, American Furniture & Decorative Arts
508-970-3224
American Furniture & Decorative Arts
From the heart of New England, the American Furniture & Decorative Arts department regularly uncovers treasures with rich and enduring history and hosts auctions to world-wide renown.