Description:

Carved Wood Panel of Liberty and Colombia Centering George Washington
An exceptionally carved, partially polychrome, wooden panel, depicting the "Temple on the Hill" flanked by Liberty and Columbia, each holding a furled American flag. They are reclining against an oval of George Washington. Below him is the Declaration of Independence and beneath that is a bloody sword with a spread-winged eagle standing on the sword hilt. Beneath is a snake being stepped on by the Liberty and Columbia.

Benjamin Franklin first used the image of the rattlesnake to represent the American colonies since rattlesnakes have no eyelids and therefore are always on guard. If threatened, they always give warning before giving a fatal strike. It became a symbol of the American army with the motto "Don't Tread on Me".

Provenance: The panel was in Edith and Bernard M. Barenholtz collection, and it was the first piece of folk art he had ever purchased;
Barbara & Frank Pollack, Sunapee, New Hampshire

  • Dimensions: 12 1/2 x 16 1/2 in. (31.8 x 41.9 cm.)
  • Condition: Unknown if it was reduced in size. Edges show strong indication of age and originality. Might have been fastened to a larger frame as evidence of two holes at top corners. Scattered chips, wear, and abrasions to edges. Losses to paint throughout. Yellows and reds still fairly vibrant in color. Minor losses to shield and staffs. As found condition. A terrific piece of American folk art.

    Thank you for your interest in our upcoming sale. Please be aware that all property is sold ‘as is' and should be viewed in person or by a professional before the sale to fully assess the condition. This condition report has been prepared as a courtesy by Nye & Company specialists and should not be viewed as a substitute for physical examination by you and/or your professional advisor. Nye & Company specialists are not trained restorers/conservators, and the report is not as detailed as a comprehensive report that would be created by a professional advisor. We will do our best to make reliable observations on the work, which we hope will be helpful to you, we strongly recommend you enlist the help of a professional advisor to prepare a more complete report. While we try to photograph items as accurately as possible, please note that digital photography and images, especially when viewed through computer screens, may present colors that differ slightly from the colors of the object when viewed in person. We also wish to respectfully remind you that the Nye & Company warranties pertaining to the property are limited and set forth in our Conditions of Sale and do not extend to condition.
    PLEASE NOTE THAT AS OF JANUARY 1ST 2023 THE NYE & COMPANY BUYER'S PREMIUM HAS BEEN RAISED FROM 23% TO 25%.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000