Samuel McIntire Medallion
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GUEST:
I remember it from the early 1920s hanging in my grandfather's living room. And then when he passed on, it was in my father's living room and when he passed on it went to me.
APPRAISER:
And there's an incredible story about this being found in Boston, right? After a visit by Lafayette.
GUEST:
Yes, for a parade. This was hanging in a floral arch for Lafayette's visit in 1824 to Boston. And after the parade was over, there was like an old-fashioned homecoming celebration. Everybody shook the daylights out of the stuff. The next day it was found by the cleanup crew.
APPRAISER:
This carving of George Washington was probably made by Samuel McIntire of Salem, Massachusetts.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
And Salem at that time was a very wealthy community with a big shipping industry. And Samuel McIntire was really one of the finest architects during the Federal period in America. He designed over 20 mansions in Salem-- some of the largest and most elaborate houses in the country at the time. And he carved baskets over the overmantels, swags, drapes and tassels in these houses, which... some of them still exist today. He also made amazing furniture. George Washington was obviously an icon and a major figure. So these medallions were probably made to be placed outdoors. There were actually eight of these listed in Samuel McIntire's inventory when he passed away. And this possibly may be one of those eight medallions of George Washington that are listed. One of the things that I love about this are the carved elements that relate to furniture. This tied ribbon you will see on McIntire's fireplace bellows-- the same carved ribbons identical to that, which are documented to McIntire. This carving here on the shoulder, you'll see that on the sheaves of wheat of furniture-- the identical sort of serrated carving. This has survived also with its original paint, which is just amazing. So your family's kept great care of it.
GUEST:
Well, I remembered it as being just black.
APPRAISER:
Really?
GUEST:
And I took my life in my hands one day...
APPRAISER:
And you cleaned it?
GUEST:
...with some mild detergent and a soft sponge. When I started seeing color, I said, "Oop, don't go any farther."
APPRAISER:
There's only a handful of these known and most of those are in museums in New England. So this is one of the only ones in private hands. This is probably worth somewhere in the range of between $70,000 and probably about $90,000.
GUEST:
Well, that's very interesting.
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