Images(2)

Fence pale

Date18th century

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Williamsburg, Benjamin Waller House

MediumPine; Paint; Whitewash

Dimensions3' 10 5/8" (L) x 2 5/8" (W) x 5/8" (T)

Object numberAF-1.16.12

DescriptionThis fence pale with square butt and spade-shaped top end was common in the southern colonies. Fences of this design usually surrounded the gardens and more public sections of a property.
Label TextThese 18th-century fence pales were found repurposed as lath nailers in the attic of the Benjamin Waller house in 1951. The decorative spade-topped pale (on the right) and the pointed utilitarian pale (on the left) were removed and used as templates for several Historic Area fences, including some of the fences on the Benjamin Waller property at the east end of Francis Street. Fence pales were the favored fence type for the enclosure of Williamsburg lots during the 18th century. Virginia gentry nearly always selected pales for their gardens and domestic yards. The tops of the pales might be pointed or otherwise decoratively shaped, depending on the use of the area they enclosed.
InscribedWritten in blue pencil on front face: "B./Waller"
MarkingsThere are waffle pattern indentations from crowbar/hammer on one face
ProvenanceBenjamin Waller House