Birth Certificate for Nancy Loeffler

Dateca. 1805

Attributed to Abraham Huth (active ca. 1805-1830)

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Lancaster County (probably)

MediumWatercolor and ink on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary Support: 12 1/4 x 15 3/16in. (31.1 x 38.6cm) and Framed: 15 1/8 x 18 3/16in.

Credit LineFrom the collection of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller; gift of the Museum of Modern Art

Object number1931.305.2

DescriptionA birth and baptismal certificate hand-lettered in German in the central rectangular reserve in red ink, with specific names and dates filled in in a different hand in black ink. The reserve's border consists of yellow, green, and red triangles creating a zig-zag effect. At top center is a multi-petaled (carnation-like) flower of reds, yellows and greens flanked by two tulips. In each upper corner, a red bird with yellow wings positions its body toward the center of the piece but turns its head backward, looking over its tail. Above each bird's back is a yellow and red carnation-like flower with red and green leaves. In each lower corner is an urn from which sprouts a large plant bearing tulip blooms. At lower center is an urn that is cross-hatched: red, green, and yellow stripes run one direction, black lines another. The urn bears a symmetrical arrangement of four buds, a central tulip, and two large, four-petalled, yellow flowers with red rims.

The 1 5/8-inch flat, grain-painted frame is a modern replacement.
Label TextNancy Loeffler's certificate is attributed to Abraham Huth because of its stylistic similarity to a signed certificate for Lea Jacky of Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Jacky example is inscribed "Drawn and to be had from Abraham Huth, Lebanon Township, Kimmerling's Schoolhouse."

The subject of the Folk Art Museum's certificate, Nancy Loeffler, was a Mennonite. Because Mennonites did not practice infant baptism, the parts of the stock text that usually cited the baptismal date, attending minister, and sponsors' names were left blank. Huth's wording was executed in red; the unidentified scrivener who partially filled in the certificate wrote in black. The latter writer's use of the word "sect" (rather than "church") is unusual in this context.
InscribedN. B. Superscript lettering cannot be shown in the computer program.

Within the sawtooth border, the German inscription reads: "Nancy Loeffler - - - ist von christliche und/Eheliche der Menonister Secte [blank] Relion zugedane/Eldern geboren im Jahr unsers-Herrn 1805 den/10ten Januar - - des Kindes Eldern waren/William Loeffler - - - und desen Ehefrau/Maria [blank] ein geborne Winger. [Blank] diese ist/gebohren in Cocallico Taunschip in Lancaster/Cauntÿ und ward gedauft von Her Pr/[blank] den [blank] ten [blank] die/Taufzeugen waren [blank]/und [blank]."

The English translation reads: "Nancy Loeffler was born to Christian and legally married parents belonging to the Mennonite sect in the year of our Lord 1805, January 10. The parents of the children were William Loeffler and his wife, Maria, nee Winger. She was born in Cocalico Township in Lancaster County and was baptized by Pastor [blank] the [blank] th [blank] the sponsors were [blank] and [blank]."

ProvenanceEdith Gregor Halpert, Downtown Gallery, New York, NY; Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.; given by Rockefeller to the Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY in 1939; given to CWF by the MoMA in June 1954.