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Case Auctions
Live Auction

2022 Summer Fine Art & Antiques (Day 1)

Sat, Jul 9, 2022 09:00AM EDT
Lot 183

Two (2) Cabinet Portraits inc. Col. Henry Quackenbush, Rev. War

Estimate: $1,000 - $1,200

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$3,000 $200
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
Two (2) cabinet portraits, including one possibly by Thomas Lawson, and one believed to be of Revolutionary War Colonel Henry Quackenbush of New York, both of which have descended in Colonel Quackenbush's family. 1st item: Oval, three-quarter length cabinet portrait of Portrait of Colonel Henry Quackenbush, oil on board, depicting the subject in profile, standing with his left hand atop a "Brewster" chair, holding a book in his other hand. The subject is depicted at about age 60, with graying hair, wearing a long dark jacket, against a plain olive green/brown background. Old label en verso identifying subject with a later owner's label and address. Housed in a possibly later ebonized oval frame with gilt sight edge. Sight - 13 1/2"H x 10 1/2"W. Frame - 18 1/2"H x 16"W. 2nd item: American School cabinet portrait of an older woman with gray hair, white bonnet, dark dress and white fichu, seated in a red chair. Inscribed en verso "Lawson from Groupil & Co. 289 Bdwy New York." The inscription may refer to painter Thomas Lawson (American, 1807-1888) and/or to restoration work performed at the Groupil gallery. Later carved oval frame. Sight - 11 1/2" H x 9 1/2"W. Frame - 17" x 15". Note: Colonel Quackenbush (1737-1813) distinguished himself as commander of the 5th Albany (NY) regiment and was wounded at Saratoga. Prior to leading American troops during Revolutionary War battles, he had fought with the British in the French and Indian War and saw action at Ticonderoga. He was the first chairman of Albany's Committee of Public Safety and a member of the Colonial Legislature. After the war, Col. Quackenbush was one of the Presidential Electors.

Both portraits descended in the family of Henry Quackenbush to the present consignor.

Condition

1st item: Overall very good condition. Painting has been cleaned within last 25 years. UV light reveals some inpainting or restoration to the back of the chair. 2nd item: Significant craquelure and buckling. 1" scratch to subject's chest area. Painting has been laid down on a board and revarnished, and may have been cut down slightly.