Silver Washed Fritillary Butterfly, 19th C. Watercolor gouache cane in hand

cane in hand

I just love how primitive and sculptural an object is

I purchase at the incredible estate sale of a Michael Leininger in Melrose

Photo/frame approx 2 1/2" x 1 7/8"

It would make sense for wartime use that the lid be attached via chain to prevent losing it--and happily this yielded these gorgeous weld marks attaching the chain to the lid and back of the vessel

Silver Washed Fritillary Butterfly, 19th C. Watercolor gouache cane in handA couple more today from a group of beautifully executed 19th c. ink and watercolor butterflies, likely done by a young woman, 1870s or so I would guess, this one with the identification hand written at lower left: Silver Washed. How to argue with the beauty and magical feeling ness of a butterfly, and I love this one centered precisely on the white page, as if glimpsed mid air. 9 1 4" x 7 1 4", very good condition.