Antique Oil

this is a very unusual antique American oil painting depicting an elderly man sitting in a comfortable chair in his workshop while carving a piece of wood into whatever item he is trying to create - he seems to be very relaxed as he clearly enjoys his work as he concentrates on carving his piece of wood - to the right of the old man is a green wooden handled saw hanging on the wall under which is a small pile of wood from which he will select his stock for the next carving - the old wood carver leans on his wooden table for stability as he carves - he wears an old black cap to keep his head warm in the workshop -
the painting measures 16" x 19" sight size & is in very good antique condition with some fine stabile craquelure on some of the surface of the painting which is normal surface patina for an oil on canvas painting dated 1886 (137 years old) - the colors of the painting are still bright & bold considering its age - on the reverse of the painting's wooden stretchers in each corner is a cast iron American made stretcher brace with the patent date of 1883 stamped & legible on each brace which backs up the 1886 date found by the artist's signature -
the signature appears to be "Belle Deltmar ??1886" found in the lower left corner of the painting (see the last two photos)- the painting itself is greatly enhanced by its incredible original large "over-the-top" Victorian gilded gesso on wooden frame which measures 23" x 28" & is also in very good antique condition - the wooden frame is quite heavy weighing in at almost 20 lb. - buyer may pick up painting at my home in Swanzey, NH to save on the cost of shipping -
(note: because of the fragility of the gesso on wooden frame, I will have to use a professional packer to pack up the painting which will cost me approx. $50. for supplies & labor) - this cost I will incur to properly protect this antique piece as well as I can from the rigors of the truck & possibly plane transport to the buyer -

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