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THBJOSEPH H. DAVIS (New Hampshire/Maine, 1811-1865), Portrait of John and Nancy Phelps, their daughter Nancy, and their cat., Watercolor, pen and ink on
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LiveJul 22, 2025
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- Lot Description
JOSEPH H. DAVIS
New Hampshire/Maine, 1811-1865
Portrait of John and Nancy Phelps, their daughter Nancy, and their cat. Inscribed lower margin "John Phelps. Born Feb.y 27th, 1800." and "Nancy Phelps. Born Sept. 28th 1799." flanking "Nancy M. Phelps. Born May 15th, 1836. Painted Jan 1838".
Watercolor, pen and ink on paper, 10.75" x 14" sight. Framed 15.5" x 18".
Provenance:
Skinner, Inc., Massachusetts, February 28, 1999, Lot #115.
The Collection of Martha Hamilton.
Notes:
According to Martha, the Phelps family was a prominent family in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Joseph H. Davis was an itinerant portraitist, most prolific between 1832 and 1837 when he is said to have painted about 150 small-scale watercolor likenesses, mostly residents of New Hampshire and Maine.
His typical portraits depict a husband and wife in profile, seated on opposite sides of a table, often accompanied by a cat. The details of their belongings -- newspapers, Bibles, letters, top hats, bonnets and books-- and their parlor interiors -- decorated with paintings, boldly patterned carpets and tablecloths, banjo clocks, maps, swags of greenery, and lively compotes of fruits and flowers -- often provide clues to their profession, political leanings, and levels of education and refinement.
While Davis's paintings give us a unique snapshot into the everyday lives of the comfortable New Englanders of the era, little is known about Davis's own life. He identified himself as a "left-handed painter" on one portrait, but because quills, paper and pots of ink figure prominently in so many of his works, some scholars hypothesize he may also have been a traveling calligraphy teacher. This is supported by the strong calligraphic line seen in his work and the particularly fine script used to record the subject names.Not examined out of frame. Tone. Water stain to lower portion.Condition
The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction. - Shipping Info
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SHIPPING: We require prompt payment and removal of your purchases as stated in Paragraph 12 of our Conditions of Sale. Arrangements to pick up or ship your purchases must be made within seven (7) days from the close of the auction. All items must be removed from Eldred's facilities within fourteen (14) days of the close of the auction. All items remaining after fourteen days may be subject to a $5/per item/per day storage fee. No items will be released unless storage fees are paid in full. Items remaining over thirty (30) days from the close of the auction may be sold for the buyer's account minus auction and storage fees. SHIPPING OF PURCHASES Shipping is not included in the purchase price. Eldred's is happy to help coordinate and recommend shipping agents. PICK-UP OF PURCHASES If you plan to pick up your purchases, please call ahead and we'll make every effort to have your items ready. Items in this auction may be located at an outside storage facility, so please call ahead.
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