Sale 1226
| Cincinnati
| Cincinnati
Estimate$1,500 – $2,500
To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]
Leah Vogelpohl
AVP, Specialist, American Furniture, Folk, and Decorative Arts
Ms. Vogelpohl joined the firm in 2013 as a cataloger in the American and European Furniture and Decorative Arts department. She became a department specialist in 2017, focusing on American decorative arts and silver. She received a BA from the College of Charleston and an MLITT in Art History from the University of Glasgow.
Provenance:
By repute, descended in the MacDonald family, possibly via Belle A. MacDonald, daughter of the artist;
thence acquired by the present owner.
James Wilson Alexander MacDonald was born in Steubenville, Ohio in 1824. He relocated in 1844 to Saint Louis, where he began his study of fine art, and by 1865, he had moved to New York and established himself as a prominent sculptor of political figures from American history. By the time of his death in 1908 in Yonkers, Westchester County, New York, he was known as “America’s oldest sculptor.”
MacDonald’s two daughters from his first marriage to Sarah Ada Westbrook MacDonald (1832-1883) both lived in Westchester County, too, immediately following the death of their father. The “Miss Belle A. MacDonald” from the artist’s certification refers to his younger daughter Belle MacDonald (born circa 1867). Her older sister, Corinne Eugenia Knickerbocker Johnson (1832-1940), had moved to Woodbridge, New Jersey by 1930 according to the United States Federal Census from that year, but the scant historical record for Belle suggests that she lived in Westchester County long-term. The consignor of this bust relates that it was acquired from descendants of the artist still living in Westchester County. If Belle retained the original life-cast of Washington from Mount Vernon, it is possible that this example, likely an early plaster cast for subsequent iterations in bronze, was also in her possession.
The Henry-Bonnard Company specialized in the sand-casting method for bronze sculpture, wherein a negative mold is first obtained from a plaster cast of the artist’s original model. Existing examples of this bust in bronze bear the same certification seen here, along with the Henry-Bonnard foundry mark.
In overall good and stable condition, free of any chips or cracks. Several scuffs, scratches, and light abrasions throughout painted surface. Many areas of inpainting present, most notably to proper right cheek, nose, and chin, along with shoulders and lower edges of bust.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
