WILLIAM MATTHEW PRIOR (American, 1806-1873)
African-American girl holding bouquet of flowers to her heart
unsigned, o/b, 14 by 10 in., frame of the period
From the American folk art collection of a Western Massachusetts woman.
Excerpt from appraisal:... in the background is a curtain swag with two large tassels...of special interest are the eyes' pupils which shine as if made of marcasite, this has been positively examined by both Peter Tillou Antiques, Litchfield, CT, and Michael Heslip, formerly of the Williamstown Art Conservation Center, an exceptionally rare subject matter executed by known abolitionists, there are only about one dozen examples of Prior black children portraits known to exist...
Estimate: $12,000 - $18,000
Realized: $8,500 - Excluding Buyer's Premium
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Lot 165 : WILLIAM MATTHEW PRIOR (American, 1806-1873)
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