probably from Massachusetts, circa 1880, central decoration of carved eagle with spread wings and original glass eye atop three flags surrounding urn and shaped scroll with the initials "J.H.C.", the products of trade, lumber, tobacco, leaves, and corn form the carved border on the top and bottom of the plaque, original painted surface, 17-1/2 x 32-1/2 x 4-1/4 in.

Provenance: Jewett-Berdan Antiques, Newcastle, Maine

Note: According to consignor notes, this plaque comes from a merchant ship in the 19th century and likely hung above the door of a ship captain's or other official's quarters.

general wear and abrasions to wood, rubbing and loss to paint, several horizontal age splits near center of plaque, some bumps and small chips to edges, surface dirt/accretion