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19th century pastel portrait attr. to James Martin
19th century pastel portrat attr. to James Martin

19th century pastel portrait attributed to James Martin.  James Martin was an English artist who was active in the mid-Atlantic states from 1794 to1820.  Martin left England in 1794, and soon thereafter ran an advertisement in the New Jersey Journal describing himself as a “miniature painter from New York, late of Fleet Street, London” offering to produce portraits in “Oil, Water, and Crayon from $1 to $50.”  His portraits feature attention to details of the sitter against a softly blended shaded background.  Examples of his works are rare, and have been exhibited at the Florence Griswold Museum and the RISD Museum. Dimensions:  sight 17.25” x 21.75”; frame: 23” x 27.5”.  

rare pair of Quaker samplers, silk on fine linen, possibly Westtown School
rare pair of Quaker samplers, silk on fine linen, possibly Westtown School
rare pair of Quaker samplers, silk on fine linen, possibly Westtown School
rare pair of Quaker samplers, silk on fine linen, possibly Westtown School

Rare pair of early 19th century Quaker samplers.  Nearly identical needle works, stitched in silk on very fine linen, made by A. A. Foulke; one is dated 1827, the other 1828.  “Extract” samplers, as taught in the Westtown School, linked spiritual quotes with sewing activities and works used for lessons in spelling and grammar.  Both samplers feature finely embroidered wreaths of flowers and leaves that encircle the dates, pious verses, and the maker’s name.

 

The verse on the 1827 sampler reflects the ancient Stoic philosophy that true joy comes from within rather than from external circumstances. The verse on the 1828 sampler is a portion of the lyrics to, "The way and end of the righteous and the wicked," paraphrasing Psalm 1 by the English minister and hymnwriter Isaac Watts.

 

The samplers are held in wonderful period, possibly original pine corner block frames.  Both are in remarkable states of preservation, with minor toning to the linen in around the darker threads.

Dimensions:  sight 8” x 6.5”; 10.25” x 9”.

 

Genealogical research indicates that A. A. Foulke may be Abby Ann Foulke, born October of 1816 to James Foulke and Hannah Shaw.  The Foulke family, whose descendants immigrated to Pennsylvania from Wales in 1698, were among the earliest settlers in Richland, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. They were a prominent Quaker family in the county throughout the 19th century. Several family members held important religious and public offices including clerk, justice of the peace, and minister.

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