Summer 2014 Preview

Summer 18 www.antiquesandfineart.com NOTEWORTH Y S A L E S George G. Hartwell (1815–1901) Triple portrait of a mother, father, and child Oil on canvas, 30¼ x 30 inches In original figured mahogany veneer frame Sold to a private collector at the Winter Antiques Show Image courtesy David A. Schorsch and Eileen M. Smiles, Woodbury, Conn. George G. Hartwell was best known for oil-on-canvas portraits depicting single subjects; hence the rarity of this triple portrait. Aside from obvious stylistic similarities to the works of William Matthew Prior and Sturtevant J. Hamblin, George G. Hartwell was formally associated with the Prior-Hamblin school of portraitists through the marriage of his sister Elizabeth to Joseph G. Hamblin, Sturtevant’s brother. All attributions to Hartwell are based on two well-known signed portraits in the collection of the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, Massachusetts. Hartwell is known to have worked in Massachusetts and Maine. Congressional presentation sword, War of 1812 Wartime presentation sword, 1812 Courtesy, James L. Kochan Fine Art & Antiques, Frederick, Md James Kochan recently sold two superbly crafted swords awarded to U. S. Navy officers for their valorous service during the War of 1812. The first is a Congressional presentation sword (left) believed to be the finest example of its type in terms of original condition with mint, etched blade and most of its gilding intact. This sword descended in the family of the recipient, Midshipman Peleg K. Dunham, who fought under Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry during the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813. It was acquired by the Department of Arms and Armor of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The second (right) is a wartime presentation by the state of Virginia. It was given to Midshipman Richard Heath for his heroism during the frigate action between the USS United States and HMS Macedonian in 1812. The sword, with gilt mountings, ivory grip, and finely blued, gilded, and etched blade, went to a private collector.