Bird or Betty? Too Hard to Choose
3/27/18 – How can I possibly pick just one? Coming up for auction on April 14th, 2018 is the collection of Ruth Bryson of Quarryville, Pennsylvania. It is 321 lots of things that I love! I find it a painstaking process to narrow it down to just one choice each week for just about every sale, but painted Pennsylvania folk art and Germanic decorative arts is my passion and this sale is loaded with eye candy. I just can’t pick one thing for this week so I am picking two! After much debate I decided my first pick is lot #47 the wrought iron fat lamp. This lamp is dated 1833 and is stamped “no. 81” on the flattened arm. It still retains the shaped wrought iron hanger as well was the pointed pick hanging from the delicate wire chain. The best part is that the lid is initialed “JS” within a wrigglework heart. Surrounding the heart is a fantastic wrigglework chain wreath. The Winterthur Museum collection has an almost identical example dated 1845 and numbered 130. They have identified the maker as Joseph Stanem of Lancaster and the example was donated by Jefferson and Anne Miller whose collection sold at Pook & Pook in April of 2015. What a great form with great flair and detail work, but honestly, I think it was the initials that got me! 
My second choice for this week is lot #1, the carved and painted Carolina parrot by Schtockschnitzler Simmons. I wonder how many kids would get that spelling right in the Scripps National spelling bee. This translates to cane carver of which Mr. Simmons is well known for. Many of you have also seen the inspirational bird trees, many of which have been sold through Pook and Pook auction. This one being a single boldly turned and painted parrot proudly perched atop a bed finial base. The vibrant color, elegant curves, and great surface all lead to it being one of my many favorites of the collection. Who has a spot on the mantle for this one?
by: Jamie Shearer
