A Trompe L’Oeil Painted Pine Fireboard
Likely Massachusetts, Late 18th Century
with a series of painted imitation Delft tiles to perimeter and sponge paint-decorated base.
Height 30 1/2 x width 44 1/4 x depth 4 1/2 inches.

According to Nina Fletcher Little, the board was found in an upper chamber of the Ebenezer Waters house in Sutton, Massachusetts. She mused that Winthrop Chandler (1747-1790), who completed other painted panels for the Waters house, may have painted this board as well. (See Nina Little, Little by Little: Six Decades of Collecting American Decorative Arts [New York City, New York: E. P. Dutton, 1984] p. 91).

Exhibited in Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts, The Tavern Ballroom, From Nature or Fancy: an exhibition of chimneypieces, boards and other examples of painted interior woodwork done in New England, October 11-November 11 1952.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Provenance:
Mrs. Gordon Wood, 1952;
Sotheby's, New York City, New York, The Bertram K. Little and Nina Fletcher Little Collection, January 23-26, 1994, Lot 292.

In overall fine and stable condition. Minor surface wear, scratches and losses to paint, consistent with age. Separation to two panels along seam, with associated later paint to the width, particularly to the lower panel. Another notable area of later paint to the center of the top panel.Â