$3,000
American School, 19th Century Portrait Miniature of Helen Adela Rowe Metcalf. Signed "N. McDermott" l.r., the back of the case engraved "Helen Adela Rowe Metcalf/July 17th 1830/March 1st 1895." Watercolor on ivory, 1 7/ 8 x 2 3/8 in., in an oval 14kt gold pendant case with foliate chased bezel. Condition: Very good. Note: Helen Adela Rowe was born July 17, 1830 in Catskill, New York. She married Jessie Metcalf of Providence, Rhode Island on November 22, 1852, with whom she had five children. Jessie was a textile merchant who, with two partners, erected and incorporated the very successful Wanskuck Mill in Providence. He was also active in political and civic affairs. Most notable, Metcalf donated land for, and erected The Rhode Island School of Design, which was built in memory of Helen, who had in 1877, proposed the founding a school of design.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2012-10-28
