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c 1830 Boston Massacre Folk Art Style Hand-Painted Decorative Glass Panel

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
c 1830 Boston Massacre Folk Art Style Hand-Painted Decorative Glass Panel
Historic Americana
“Boston Massacre” Folk Art Style Hand-Painted Glass Panel Decorative Mirror
c. 1830 (Early 19th Century), Federal or Sheraton Style Wall Mirror with Decorative “Boston Massacre” Folk Art Reversed Painted Glass Panel Top Inset, Choice Very Fine.
This wall mirror measures 29.5” tall by 12.25” wide, with the top wooden crown measuring 3.25” x 16.25”. An outstanding, museum-quality, decorative and historic piece of American furniture. This is the first and only early American piece with a Folk Art painting of the Boston Massacre, after the famous engraved print by Paul Revere of the incident and precursor to the Revolutionary War, which took place 1770. The reversed painted panel is in quite excellent, completely original condition, having no repairs. It is housed as the upper part of a classic, period mahogany colored decorative wooden mirror frame, the original mirror remaining unbroken and intact, though showing age and some modest back discoloration, below. The frame has ornate classic reeded columns and retains its original finish. The crown having and ornate matching design and eleven decorative turned hanging devices. each being nearly an inch in length. The mirror’s original backboard also remains intact and in place. Some light wear and a small, thin 1/2” x 2.25” piece of decorative finish wood missing above the bottom base of the right side column.

The reverse painted panel is truly a collectors delight. It measures 7” x 8.5” by sight, having a thick 1.25” solid black outer border thus highlighting the golden outer frame of the image itself. Painted with blue sky, tan, harvest gold and brick red buildings, the clock and much imagery from the original Paul Revere engraving is used, including a building with a large sign, “BUTCHERS HALL”. The British Soldiers are seen holding up and firing their muskets at right, the American civilians falling from being shot and dying at left. Central text, written in golden paint reads; “MASSACRE IN KING ST BOSTON MARCH 5TH 1770 BY A PARTY OF THE 29 REG”. The artist leaves a clue to his identity, in tiny painted initials “M L B” being placed in the lower right corner inside the outer golden painted frame.

Overall, in rather excellent condition, specially considering its age and use of glass. One of the finest examples of historic American Folk Style Art we have ever had the pleasure to offer. Ex: EAHA, Inc. Auction of December 11, 2004, lot # 1351, where it realized $6,670.