Theatre Frontispiece

Exceedingly rare American theatre frontispiece. This carved column and its mate stood on either side of the entrance to a theatre or playhouse in the first half of the nineteenth century. The figures are those of Greek and Roman comedy and tragedy. Exampled of these figures, in these poses, can be found in Bieber, The History of the Greek and Roman Theatre. Pollen analysis done at M.I.T. in 1987 revealed that 1) no European pollen was present, and 2) there were two small geographical habitats, in the Eastern United States, where the post could have spent its life. One area is south of the Catskill Mountains; the other area is a central area of Massachusetts that extends into neighboring states. See the map, originals supplied by M.I.T., accompanying the lot. The column was authenticated at the Rhode Island School of Design by we believe Christopher Monkhouse. This was later corroborated by Richard Leacroft in 1985 (author of Theatre and Playhouse). The column is in excellent condition with minor older insect damage with some cracks associated with age.

As with all of our furniture, in ‘as found’ condition.
Very nice overall condition.
Carved from Oak, retains heavy black finish which was originally applied as protection from the elements
Measures   73 H