The manner and relative fineness of this folk art (likely sailor made) shell painting says 19th century for sure. I've always got an eye for a good folk art painting on a shell, but this excellent seascape, purchased from a dealer in Maine, was an especially happy find, all the more so for having been painted on an oyster shell--and an extra large one. With a Dutch flag flying from the lighthouse, so one presumes painted while at sea, far from home. Probably a small loss along the far right edge, but if so it doesn't seem we've lost much. Lovely, painterly, and very atmospheric.
7" x 4 7/8" x 2 1/4" d. Good antique condition, general wear and age, a little loss to far right edge I believe and general perimeter edge wear/minor chips elsewhere as one would expect.
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