American School 19th century Two Works of Navigational Spiritual Guidance: A Nautical Cut-Work Picture and A Moral Compass for Seaman

The Nautical cut-work picture with central depiction of a ship in stormy waters, surrounded by a border with maritime crest above, rope and anchors to corners, floral swags to sides with musical instruments, and floral swag to bottom with mast and canons centered by motto, "We Are All One," all surrounded by cut-work oak branches interspersed with birds and squirrels, the lower edge depicting a hunt scene, each corner bearing a roundel featuring scenes from the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve enacting original sin; A Moral Compass for Seaman after the work by Rev. John Flavel (1630-1691), Navigation Spiritualized: or, A New Compass for Seam; Consisting of Thirty-two Points, of Pleasant Observations, Profitable Applications, and Serious Reflections...(1677), with central globe surrounded by directional instructions; both works with ink and watercolor on paper, framed.

18 in. x 25 1/2 in. (cut-work picture, sight) and 16 1/2 in. x 13 1/2 in. (compass, sight)

Note

These two works include imagery that may allude to the immorality of slavery. The cut-work picture, likely done in the first half of the 19th century, features the motto, "We Are All One" paired with a ship in turbulent waters, a possible reference to abolition and the impending Civil War. The scenes of Adam and Eve may refer to slavery as a result of original sin. The "Moral Compass" includes a globe with the axis running through the African Continent, which likewise may be a direct link to slavery and arguments for abolition. John Flavel's Navigation Spiritualized was first published in 1677, and Flavel's influence remained strong until the end of the 19th century.

Provenance

A Philadelphia gentleman.