Still Life Composition with Fruits

DatePossibly 1840-1870

MediumWatercolor on wove heavy drawing board

DimensionsPrimary Support: 11 13/16 x 14 1/16in. (30 x 35.7cm) and Framed: 15 x 17 1/8in.

Credit LineGift of the Moorecock Estate

Object number1957.303.2

DescriptionAn orange vase or bowl holding leaves and fruit, including grapes, plums, cherries, lemon, wild cherries, strawberries, and pear.

Artist unidentified.

The 1 11/16-inch flat, mahogany-veneered frame with brass hanging ring at top is possibly original but heavily refinished.
Label TextSee also 1957.303.1, a floral composition by the same unidentified hand. Simple, very stylized forms and unusual coloration including greenish yellows and full oranges suggest a date somewhat later than the height of theorem painting's popularity, but it is hoped that additional research eventually will reveal more particulars about the histories of the two paintings. Neither composition has been noted elsewhere to date. The berries at right and the plums at center left were stenciled on top of the upper edge of the fluted bowl, which was cleverly U-shaped to accommodate its profusion of fruits.
ProvenancePer 1985 conversation with Mrs. W. A. Morecock, Sr., 1957.303.2 and its companion piece, 1957.303.1, were last privately owned by Miss Beverly Morecock, who occupied Colonial Williamsburg's Benjamin Waller House on Francis Street.