Featured Glittery pair of blue and yellow bird pictures

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

 

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.

 

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).

 

Yes, 1920s likely.

Debora

 

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.

 

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."

 

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!

 

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

 

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

 

Let's see it!?

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

 

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

 

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.

 

This one on etsy - I'm not convinced of the age stated.. Maybe they are dating it by foil patterns?? The style looks more 20th Century/Liechtenstein. They're not asking a bazillion $$ for it.

1850's-1890's Fruit Bowl Tinsel Art Tray. Foil Folk Art. Antique Victorian.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

212. 595. 9533

info@folkartmuseum.org

 

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

 

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