Important 1812 Carved Wood Battleship Shield.

Important 1812 carved wood Battleship Shield. Scientific paint analysis confirmed the age and history of the shield. This piece of American history was part of the content of the Barbour family's White Birches Lodge at Forllensby Pond in the Adriondack region. It is though to be from a Warship operating on Lake Champlain circa 1812 and was gift from Mrs. Lila Webb at the Shelburne Farms (located on Lake Champlain) to the Barbour Family ather they built White Birches in 1913. Provenance: Collection of Claude S. Harkins.

This Shield's bowsprit counterpart is in the Shelburne Museum collection. The shield is said to have been retouched in the early 20th century by noted artist Ogden Pleissner before he changed to watercolor in the 1930's. Accompanying this piece is the scientific analysis report commissioned by the original collector (Mr Harkins) and performed by noted analyst Jennifer L. Mass, PH.D., director and senior scientist of Winterthur Museum, (see Antiques & Arts Weekly July 1, 2011 article). The report conclude that the paint compound and layers are appropriate and correct for the age and history of this shield. (report to be included with the piece upon purchase). see similar American Carved Oak Wood Wooden Shield, ( Gift from the Levine Folk Art Collection Accession #2021.505) in the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA.