VALUABLE PAINTING COMES WITH A RICH BACKSTORY
Artist Peleg Franklin Brownell was headmaster of Ottawa Art School
Q This painting belonged to my late Mum, and we think it’s by Franklin Brownell. Only the initials for his name seem to appear on the lower right-hand corner of the second photo. The painting measures 33 by 41 cm (13 x 16 inches) from the front within the frame. The only other information we have is that it might be a study for a larger work. Any information you could provide would be appreciated. Thanks. — Mike, Ottawa
A You’ve been well-advised. The initials are identical to the style of lettering used in full by Peleg Franklin Brownell (18561946). He was born in Massachusetts and studied in Boston and Paris. Arriving in Ottawa in 1886, he became the headmaster of Ottawa Art School. He was a member of the Ontario Society of Artists, a founding member of the Canadian Art Club, and exhibited greatly with the Art Association of Montreal. He painted in both Ontario and the West Indies during the 1890s, and was also well-known for his landscapes of Quebec, which is what you may have here. The painting’s value will increase greatly if a location is identified on the canvas. It’s a beautiful sketch showcasing Brownell’s skill with vivid-yettrue colours in an impressionistic style. Prices vary greatly, and have occasionally broken the six-figure barrier. This one will be well worth $4,000.
Q I bought this “sweetmeat dish” at an estate sale, and was told it might be Victorian and the class cuttings are a mixture of Irish, British and possibly Scottish styling. There are no signs of wear or chipping anywhere on it, including the bottom of the foot. It looks almost brand new. Can you tell me any more about it? Thank you. — Robert, Ottawa
A You have a very good quality sweetmeat dish, also sometimes called a covered vase, but without a closer look I can’t tell if it’s Victorian or early 20th century. Cut glass was quite refined by the 1800s, and some very good reproductions were being produced and advertised between 1900-1930s by the English firm H.G. Richardson. The vertically serrated edge and diamond-point pattern on the bowl bottom of your piece are shown exactly in the Richardson catalogue from 1934. I suspect this is a reproduction, but would want to examine its structure — specifically the sharpness of the cutting, and whether it was made in more than one piece and joined by wafers — before making a final call. The jury’s out until then, and the difference could range from $150 for a reproduction to over $1,000 for a genuine Victorian piece.
Q This game board came to me from my English great-grandparents. The surface materials, both tortoiseshell and white, appear to be synthetic. The board measures 5 x 23 cm (2 x 9 inches). It has no distinguishing marks. I would peg the vintage at early 20th century, but this is just a wild guess. Do you think it is a cribbage board or would it have been used as a counter for some other sort of card game? Cheers. — Dennis, Manotick
A Yes, this is a cribbage board, likely made in England, and I believe the style dates it to at least 1870, and possibly earlier. I also think you’ve got true natural materials here; definitely tortoiseshell, and also either ivory or bone. The clues here are the pattern, opaque nature of the colours, and the slight chipping and minor cracking evident in the board. It’s a lovely piece, but difficult to sell in an era where wildlife-protection embargoes curb the value of items made of these materials. This is a rare piece, and worth about $175.