Architrave from Wetherburn's Tavern

Dateca.1750

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Williamsburg, Wetherburn's Tavern

MediumWood Paint: grey

Dimensions78½" (L) x 4" (W) x 1 1/4" (T)

Object numberAF-9.31.99

DescriptionThis length of door architrave molding is cut on the diagonal at both ends. There are 15 paint sampling reveals on the obverse face that represent 9 different paint layers. There are scribe marks at both ends on the reverse surface.
Label TextThis piece of molding is called an architrave and provided a decorative finish to the door framing. It shows one of the longest paint reveals in the collection, with nine generations of paint finishes exposed. Modern analysis has shown that there were fifteen paint campaigns instead of nine. While the paint reveal was successful in exposing the lowest 1750s red paint, it failed to recognize it as a primer with the actual 1750s finish paint being off-white.
MarkingsScribe marks at both ends on reverse surface
ProvenanceWetherburn's Tavern