British Royal Coat of Arms, 1786, attrib. to the "Early Ephrata Artist," (active c. 1780-1786). Manuscript watercolor version of this design is modified to depict the Germanic sentiments of the artist following our overthrow of English rule. As before, the rampant lion (England) is on the left and the rampant unicorn (Scotland) on the right. However, the lion is now chained and uncrowned. Replacing the central shield is a large flowering plant with a typical Pa-German large parrot perched on the lower branch and a crown above. Large flowers are prominently added to this image.
Lettering at bottom center reads: "Phil(i)p[sic] Horning/ hat In ge-macht/ 1786" Recipient Philip Horning's name is followed by the artist's phrase: "Made in 1786." This should not be read that Horning "made this in 1786."
Pa. Germans saw a kinship between the Royal Coat of Arms and the German Hanoverian kings who ruled the United Kingdom throught the 18th century.
Klaus Stopp, Printed B&BC of the Pa. Germans, Vol. II, pp. 108-113
Height (cm)
34.925
Height (ft)
1.1458333333
Height (in)
13.75
Width (cm)
41.275
Width (ft)
1.3541666667
Width (in)
16.25
Dimension Details
Frame is H: 22.25 W: 25.25"
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2017-03-23
Condition Notes
Multiple vertical and horizontal creases overall. Some paint loss, especially on lion's head and face, and flower in upper right corner. Brown stains overall.
A treatment proposal made by Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts, May 1986, and the following treatment was done in 1988-89: consolidated ink and paint, old backing removed, tears mended, cleaned, losses in paper filled, flattened, and matted. Details in file.
Matted and framed by Brian Howard of Carlisle in 1996
Object ID
P.77.51
Notes
This unusual watercolor gives a Germanic spin on the heraldic design. While the lion stands for England and the unicorn for Scotland, replacing the central shield is a large parrot perched on a flowering plant. Large flowers are also prominently introduced into the composition. Painted after the war of independence, the lion is now portrayed uncrowned, with a chain at his neck. This is a strong statement of the artist's Germanic sentiments.
This is one of the last known pieces done by the Early Ephrata Artist." He was given this name since he decorated early Ephrata prints having no bird-panel printed borders. The Earnests note he used heavy color and his motifs were primitive, despite the ambitious decoration and design he attempted such as this fraktur watercolor. He ranks among the earliest fraktur artists to decorated printed forms, along with Otto, Hoevelmann and Speyer.
See:
- Earnests' "Papers for Birth Dayes", pp. 213-214 for info on the Early Ephrata Artist.
- Klaus Stopp, The Printed B&BCs of the German Americans, Vol. II, pp. 108-113.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
