194

c. 1824 Lafayette’s Tour of America Commemorative Painted Fireplace Bellows

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
c. 1824 Lafayette’s Tour of America Commemorative Painted Fireplace Bellows
Post-Revolutionary War to Civil War
c. 1824 Marquis de Lafayette’s Return Tour of America Decorated Commemorative Painted Fireplace Bellows
c. 1824 Marquis de Lafayette’s Return Tour of America Period, Hand-Painted & Decorated Commemorative Portrait Painted Fireplace Bellows made of Pine, With a Handcolored Print of Lafayette, measuring 18.5" long and 7" across, Very Fine.
Extremely rare and outstanding original “Folk Art” style rarity dating to 1824 and the Marquis de Lafayette’s triumphant Return Tour of America. A museum quality example, the Hand-Painted portions are pleasing with light wear from actual use, displaying a wonderful natural patina. Near center, it displays wonderful original decorative period Handcolored Print of Lafayette in oval on one side measuring overall about 2” tall x 1.5” wide. The original varnish is still mostly intact with some darkening of age. Its ornately designed brass nozzle is also original. The leather side panels were professionally replaced by a prior collector about 20 years or so ago and has been period accomplished so as to be true to the original. The original paint is somewhat worn, yet remains in remarkable condition with just some slight losses. Overall, these bellows display typical wear commensurate with age. The bellows are painted in rich orange-red paint with additional Hand-Stenciled decoration. When General Lafayette made his return to American in 1824 the entire Nation treating his visit as a National holiday. There were numerous decorative commemorative ceramics, banners and prints made for display, as well as ceremonies and parades in his honor. This remarkable and useful household piece was made for that occasion.