Details
A felt collage and watercolour picture
The Earth Stopper, by George Smart, depicting a gentleman astride a horse, startled by a sweep, leading a donkey, on a moonlit lane, in a glazed giltwood frame, the reverse with the label of George Smart, and a note entitled The Earth Stopper, first quarter 19th century -- 13in. x 18in. (33 x 45.7cm), overall
Literature
James Ayres, British Folk Art, Barrie and Jenkins, London 1976. Overlook Press, Woodstock, N.Y. 1977. P.87.
James Ayres, English Naive Painting 1750-1900, Thames and Hudson, London and N.Y. 1981. Pl. 92.

Lot Essay

The hand written note on the reverse of the picture indicates that it is an earlier example, later notes appeared in printed form. It is also interesting to note that the cut felt on later examples was laid onto lithographic printed backgrounds. The label bears the hand written price of one pound. The note reads as follows:
The Business of and Earth Stopper the Night previous to the Day's Sport is to stop up the Fox's Earth whilst he is out Feeding. The above gentle Swain is supposed to be on his way home, when by a sudden turn of the lane he is brought plump upon what he conceives to be nothing more nor less than the D***L, but which in fact is a simple Sweep and his Donkey.

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE:
Margaret Gill, Proffessor of Perculiar Art, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Publication.

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