Antique / Early Fruit Theorem - Pears 2024 & Strawberries Still Life Stencil on Fabric

This sweet little still life has introduced me to a whole new world of early American folk art.

Theorems were images done with the use of stencils and hand painted details often on fabric (velvet, silk) and the trend seems to have originated in India (Pune) with "Poonah paintings" and took off in England at the turn of the 19th century. The art form was popularized in the finishing schools of colonial New England in the 1800s. Aimed at girls and women (surprise!), though men did create them as well, this skill of layering stencils artfully, was trickier than it sounds. Images were layered without spacing between shapes, shading and the layering of colors weren't easy and paint on velvet was tricky. This new and important skill was all the rage from the 1810s to 1840s. The craft did continue though, and they remain highly collectible.

Back to this gallery wall beauty! From its battered old frame (which appears to be original), it was likely painted in the early 1900s. It has some square nails that generally 2024 point to the early 1800s but signatures were less common that early. This artist signed their work and must have been proud of it! The pear with its shading, soft curves and overlaid, speckled strawberries are charming - the imperfect tendrils and delicately colored leaves add a wonderful primitive quality to this still life without rendering it flat.

To the artist I say, well done! (and I hope they were valued for their intellect too.)

7 1/4 x 8 1/4" - and yes, the frame is very aged - but when antique art is found in what appears to be original framing, collectors prefer to keep them that very way ~


(Note ~ I cannot authenticate, guarantee age or provenance of the items for sale on this site. Please contact me with any questions, and I'll be happy to assist!)