SKINNER American Furniture & Decorative Arts

312
312.
Carved and Painted Bust of a Black Woman Wearing a Liberty Cap, possibly New England, c. 1850-60, depicting a
young black woman wearing a tasseled cap painted red with a gold band, ht. 19, wd. 10, dp. 5 in.
Literature: American Folk Sculpture by Robert Bishop (E.P. Dutton, 1974), p. 319. The bust is illustrated and noted that, “the
sculpture possibly reflects the fact that prior to the Civil War, New England was a hotbed of passionate Abolitionist sentiment,
which was fanned by such literary efforts as Harriet Beecher Stowe’s sensational novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”
Exhibitions: American Folk Art, Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts, October 1–30, 1974.
Note: The bust was reportedly found in the mid-20th century, by New York City antiques dealer Gerald Kornblau; ex-collection
of Mrs. Jacob (Alice) M. Kaplan.
$50,000-75,000
42 additional information and photos at www.skinnerinc.com