An Antique American School Portrait of a Prosperous Merchant

Oil on canvas (lined), unsigned, circa 1820, the man depicted half-length and holding a gold topped walking stick with a gold and onyx pin, visible beyond the window ledge with red drapery is a three masted ship, presented in a later gilt frame.

SS 31.5 x 26.25 in.; DOA 42.5 x 37 in.

Family history purports this to be a portrait of Caleb Norris Bell of Beaufort, NC.

Rubbing and re-gilding to frame; patches to verso of canvas; scattered re-touch visible under UV light; creasing to surface to of canvas; over-cleaned.

$500 - 1,000