1826 American Theorem by Sally Hancock

Appraised on: July 8, 2006

Appraised in: Mobile, Alabama

Appraised by: Mitchell Keno

Category: Paintings & Drawings

Episode Info: Mobile, Hour 3 (#1112)

Originally Aired: April 9, 2007

IMAGE: 1 of 2  

Appraisal Video: (1:55)

GUEST: It was purchased by my husband. He was from New York. And I really don't know much about it. My husband died, and I really don't know anything about it.

APPRAISER: How long ago did your husband buy it, do you think?

GUEST: He bought it before we married. He died 13 years ago, and we were married for 25. And he had it before we married.

APPRAISER: Well, it's an interesting piece. I haven't seen a lot of these types of paintings. You know what this is called?

GUEST: No.

APPRAISER: It's called a theorem. This style of painting is a technique that the Chinese started, it carried over to the United States about the year 1800. And a theorem is a type of painting based on stencil. The process of painting in the theorem style was usually done on one of two different types of materials. One material they used was paper. They would use watercolor to paint or stencil the image. The second way, which is your way, is oil paint that was done on velvet. You can see at the bottom here, it's fully signed. It says, "Painted by Miss Sally Hancock, Wrentham, Massachusetts, June, 1826." She would have been in a finishing school in New England. That's very special to have that date and that name on there because most theorems don't have that information. You'll notice how bold all the pattern is on this piece. And also notice that it's got a little bit of foxing, which is the staining-- these little yellow and brown marks that are up in here. That could easily be taken care of by the right restorer. This would very comfortably sell for the tune of approximately $24,000.

GUEST: Wow! Really?

APPRAISER: Really.

GUEST: Oh.

APPRAISER: You like that number?

GUEST: Yes. Thank you very much.

APPRAISER: Oh, you're so welcome.