Featured Glittery pair of blue and yellow bird pictures

Discussion in 'Art' started by rknarr2, Aug 4, 2019.

  1. rknarr2

    rknarr2 Well-Known Member

    I found these glittery pair of blue and yellow bird pictures. My mom remembers them from one of her ancestors but was not real sure which ones. She says they are at least as old as she is and she is 87 years old. I am not sure what type of art these are or type of birds. I would like to find out more about them. Each are 5 3/4" x 7 3/4" x 1/2" from frame edge to frame edge. Also, do you think the frames are silver? Thank you for your assistance in this request. Rob
    IMG_0397small.JPG IMG_0399small.JPG IMG_0401small.JPG IMG_0403small.JPG IMG_0405small.JPG
     
  2. say_it_slowly

    say_it_slowly The worst prison is a closed heart

    I'm sure someone will know more about them though the detail is a little hard to make out. Try looking at tinsel art or tinsel foil art paintings and see if that looks like yours.
     
  3. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

    I have no problem imagining these to be from the 1920s. The frames look to be stamped wood with a silvery paint (maybe aluminum dust).
     
  4. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Yes, 1920s likely.

    Debora
     
  5. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    I'm with SIS - the color is foil.
    The black is like India ink over the foil. I have a floral one for sale in my store. Have not had any interest in it. Priced at $25. in Northern CA.
     
  6. Jivvy

    Jivvy the research is my favorite

    I'm going to agree on materials, but disagree on method.

    I think the painting is all on the glass - from the black opaque bits, to the transparent colored bits - and there is a piece of plain crumpled foil behind.

    Eye candy and info here:
    https://folkartmuseum.org/exhibitions/foiled-tinsel-painting-in-america/
    This site also suggests these may be considerably older than the 1920s, but I have no idea if they are right or wrong.

    "'Foiled: Tinsel Painting in America is the most comprehensive museum exhibition to focus on this under-recognized decorative art that was widely practiced in America from 1850 to 1890."
     
  7. Darkwing Manor

    Darkwing Manor Well-Known Member

    I can't tell from the photos but these were often done in the eglomise' technique, a fancy name for reverse-painting, which is mind-boggling to me. Wonderfully kitsch!
     
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  8. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    Yes, exactly.
    I didn't explain well. You did much better.
     
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  9. scoutshouse

    scoutshouse Well-Known Member

    Yes, reverse painted with foil, or tinsel. These were popular crafts in the mid to late 19th c - they looked great in fire and candle light, I bet.

    Here's a fancy pair of tinsels from an estate I worked on, from a kit as detailed in the article below.

    Rehousing our tinsel print collection Folger Shakespeare Library

    Tinsel3.jpg Tinsel.jpg Tinsel2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2019
  10. scoutshouse

    scoutshouse Well-Known Member

    Let's see it!?

    O, I'd love to see the museum exhibition, @Jivvy!
     
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  11. scoutshouse

    scoutshouse Well-Known Member

    @rknarr2 's birds could be older than the '20s. They are charming!
     
  12. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

    I'm still thinking 1920s. If earlier, not more than a decade. But surprise me! The framing looks original, with those papered backs, and the frame style seems post-Victorian. Nor do the images strike me as 19th C in style. Some of those pictures on the Folk Art Museum site are from the '20s and even mid-20th century.

    The visual effect was popular: look at purse compacts by Gwenda, or even Wedgwood's Fairyland Lustre.

    I do wonder. If I had seen that Harlequin by itself, I likely would have said Art Deco; Harlequin was a popular motif. But the Columbine (assuming that to be the woman)? The technique would have confused me (I did not know it to be so old) but the face is not 20thC, much easier to see it as Regency.
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2019
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  13. scoutshouse

    scoutshouse Well-Known Member

  14. rknarr2

    rknarr2 Well-Known Member

    What type of birds are shown in my mom's tensil arts? Thank you for assistance in this request. Rob
     
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  15. Jivvy

    Jivvy the research is my favorite

    They may just be "artistic depiction of birds" without any intention to be scientifically accurate.

    Though, an argument could be made for split tail ones as barn swallows.

    upload_2019-8-4_21-4-18.jpeg
     
  16. scoutshouse

    scoutshouse Well-Known Member

    They may be from a pattern, as well, @rknarr2

    Why not contact the museum, and ask?

    To me, they're every bit as nice as the documented pieces, regardless of age.
     
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  17. rknarr2

    rknarr2 Well-Known Member

    I searched the site but could not find contact info for the museum
     
  18. scoutshouse

    scoutshouse Well-Known Member

    American Folk Art Museum
    2 Lincoln Square
    (Columbus Avenue between 65th and 66th Streets)
    New York, NY 10023

    212. 595. 9533

    info@folkartmuseum.org
     
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  19. rknarr2

    rknarr2 Well-Known Member

    Thank you. I looked on that site could not find anything on contacting them. Rob
     
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  20. rknarr2

    rknarr2 Well-Known Member

    Yes, they could be artistic depiction of birds. Thank you for identifying the birds. Rob
     
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