Relics of the American West: 1850-1920
Lot 2248:
Description
This captivating piece is a hand-colored charcoal or “crayon” portrait, a popular style in the late 19th century used to enlarge and enhance smaller Civil War-era photographs. It depicts a young Union soldier in full dress, proudly holding a saxhorn, a valved brass instrument that was a staple of regimental brass bands. While the infantry insignia on his hat is a bugle, the instrument he holds is a “circular” or “over-the-shoulder” model saxhorn, correctly identified as a “Saxon Horn” on the handwritten label on the reverse. The work is housed in a period-appropriate Victorian-era dark wood frame with a classic gilded gesso inner liner. The portrait shows some expected age-toning and minor foxing, while the frame exhibits light surface wear, minor separations at the mitered corners, and small chips to the gilded liner consistent with its age. H 24″, W 20″, D 1.5″. Please see photos for condition.
Share this lot:
