Profile of man in a high collar uniform, believed to be Napoleon Bonaparte, cast in chalkware as a framed representation under glass. Rectangular frame has conforming recessed area with cast profile in relief. Old glazing on frame covers image. Chalkware frame is painted dark green with a wire hanging ring imbedded at top center. Profile has black-painted, forward-swept hair with sideburns and pink-rouged cheek. Uniform is of red and black with high red collar and gold epaulette. Created as a memento and sold likely via peddler.
Inscriptions on back in pencil are faint. It appears to be "John M. Snavely/ picked April the 19/ A.D. 1863/ John S(nave)ly." Research reveals a John M. Snavely born 12/17/1843 and died 9/22/1883. 1880 census records him living at home with his farmer parents, Michael and Fannie, and working as a laborer. Obit notes funeral held at Denlinger's Mennonite Meeting House.
Interior profile appears in good condition due to glazing. Outside frame suffers the most with extensive paint loss and significant wear to frame corners. Strong soil on back and other unpainted area.
Object ID
G.04.23.16
Place of Origin
Eastern US
Credit
Gift of Sarah Muench, Heritage Center Collection, LancasterHistory.org
Figure of a woman with brown hair wearing an ochre broad-rimmed hat, long-sleeved, full-skirted dress painted blue-green with ochre trim on bodice only, and unpainted pantaloons with black shoes. She is also holding a hankerchief in her right hand and flowers in her left hand. Square plinth with clipped corners is lightly dabbed with tannish-brown. Back side is inpainted.
Inscription inside base is pencilled "PRC".
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx in Pennsylvania during their visits back East from CA. Donation to the Heritage Center.
Moderate soiling and paint loss. Small chips throughout; large loss on back right corner of base. Mended break in the left skirt. Several paint splatters on skirt front.
Object ID
G.98.51.75
Place of Origin
Pennsylvania
Credit
Given in memory of Harpo by Susan Marx, Heritage Center Collection
Pastel on paper with double mat in modern frame. Shows an empty canoe-like craft drifting along the bank of the Susquehanna River near Columbia, PA with the sun setting (or rising) on the horizon.
There are various pieces of information written on the back, including the title and date of the painting: "Sundown--Susquehanna River c. 1870 / Columbia, Lancaster County, Pa." The back also lists the provenance: "Presented to John H. Libhart / Family in 1948 by Grace & Loretta Minich, / Inheritors of the Mifflin Estate." This contradicts a notarized statement from the donor in the object file which states the title is "Sunrise".
Provenance
9/07/2012 - Transferred from HC Collections; 12/07/95 - from Mr. Lamar Libhart 4016 Green Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 717- 2344-7734.
H: 16.75 inches x W: 20.75 inches x D: .675 inches. Modern frame with double mat mounting
Object Name
Painting
Material
Paper
Medium
Painting, Pastel
Height (cm)
42.545
Height (ft)
1.3958333333
Height (in)
16.75
Width (cm)
52.705
Width (ft)
1.7291666667
Width (in)
20.75
Depth (cm)
1.7145
Depth (ft)
0.05625
Depth (in)
0.675
Dimension Details
Height: 16 3/4 In Frame; Width: 20 3/4 in frame; Length: ; Depth 5/8 in frame.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2016-03-18
Condition Notes
Some small punctures and dents. Buckling over surface, lifting towards the plexi glazing. Particles of color fallen to bottom inside, visible, esp. against mat. A significant semicircular tear is on the left side, about halfway down. Some scratches in the bottom left corner.
Back has tape separating / detaching at numerous points.
