拍品專文
This stand, made specifically to hold the personal bible of Theodore Barrell and stamped repeatedly with his name, is an incredible document and a rare survival.
The leather-bound bible, still kept in the well of the stand, is decorated with tooled leather and furnished with ornate clasps. The original owner is identified on the inside cover by a red leather nameplate embossed with the "THOEDORE BARRELL." The bible contains family genealogical information as well as names inscribed on flowers and leaves that have made their imprints between the pages.
To ensure that no one mistook the table as their own, and to keep the two objects together, Barrell branded the tabel twice on the inner rails of the well and nine times on the underside of the case. It was the prectice in some regions, such as Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for owners to brand their furniture, and Barrell was apparently familiar with this tradition. Successful merchant relatives lived in York, Maine, across the river from Portsmouth, and as a merchant himself, Theodore may have been familiar with this means of identification.
Although there was a "Thoedore Barrell," born and died in Boston (1741-1796), and recorded on the genealogical register in the bible, evidence suggests that another Theodore Barrell, also included and
more prominently palced, was the owner of the articles. The second Theodore Barrell was born in Boston, March 9, 1771. As an importer of "rare articles," he lived abroad in the West Indies, where he met and married Elisabeth Beckles Gall from Barbadoes, March 29, 1800. In 1804, they removed to England and then to Boston in 1807. They later moved to Norwich, New London, and New Haven before settling in New York in 1825.
As the bible was handed down to his daughter, Theodora Barrell Massa, it can be concluded that the latter Barrell is the original owner of the bible and stand. This also concurs with the brands, which were used by owners to mark their furniture during the first quarter of the 19th century, after the first Theodore had died. The stand was likely acquired in New York during one of the Barrell's coastal voyages, or may have been purchased in Boston by Barrell, and is an example of New York venture cargo.
The leather-bound bible, still kept in the well of the stand, is decorated with tooled leather and furnished with ornate clasps. The original owner is identified on the inside cover by a red leather nameplate embossed with the "THOEDORE BARRELL." The bible contains family genealogical information as well as names inscribed on flowers and leaves that have made their imprints between the pages.
To ensure that no one mistook the table as their own, and to keep the two objects together, Barrell branded the tabel twice on the inner rails of the well and nine times on the underside of the case. It was the prectice in some regions, such as Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for owners to brand their furniture, and Barrell was apparently familiar with this tradition. Successful merchant relatives lived in York, Maine, across the river from Portsmouth, and as a merchant himself, Theodore may have been familiar with this means of identification.
Although there was a "Thoedore Barrell," born and died in Boston (1741-1796), and recorded on the genealogical register in the bible, evidence suggests that another Theodore Barrell, also included and
more prominently palced, was the owner of the articles. The second Theodore Barrell was born in Boston, March 9, 1771. As an importer of "rare articles," he lived abroad in the West Indies, where he met and married Elisabeth Beckles Gall from Barbadoes, March 29, 1800. In 1804, they removed to England and then to Boston in 1807. They later moved to Norwich, New London, and New Haven before settling in New York in 1825.
As the bible was handed down to his daughter, Theodora Barrell Massa, it can be concluded that the latter Barrell is the original owner of the bible and stand. This also concurs with the brands, which were used by owners to mark their furniture during the first quarter of the 19th century, after the first Theodore had died. The stand was likely acquired in New York during one of the Barrell's coastal voyages, or may have been purchased in Boston by Barrell, and is an example of New York venture cargo.