ARTIST: Chris Calle (American, born 1961)
TITLE: Art Deco Eagle
YEAR: 2001
MEDIUM: mixed media on board
CONDITION: Excellent.
ART SIZE: 14 x 12 inches / 35 x 30 cm
BOARD SIZE: 20 x 15 inches / 50 x 38 cm
SIGNATURE: lower right
NOTE: This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 55c Art Deco Eagle Mail Box stamp issued February 22, 2001. America's beloved national emblem, the eagle has appeared as a featured decorative ornament in American folk art almost since the birth of the nation. This popular symbol is seen on such diverse items as wallpaper, musical instruments, pottery, glassware, china, cookie jars, playing cards, canes, bookends, posters, picture frames, whiskey bottles, ship figureheads and flags. During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington chose the eagle as the motif for the buttons on his uniform. In 1782, it became the central figure of America's Great Seal and, in 1789 when Washington was inaugurated the first President of the United States in New York City, he proudly stood beneath a magnificent eagle that adorned the pediment of Federal Hall. The eagle first appeared on American coinage when New Jersey issued a copper coin in 1786. Silver dollars, half dollars and dimes displaying the eagle entered circulation in 1794. The nation's first gold coins were minted in 1795, and were known as eagles and half eagles -- ten and five dollar pieces respectively. Many 19th century American coins featured an eagle in flight or perched upon a branch or rock. Other designs portrayed the eagle in a heraldic pose with a ribbon or banner held in its beak. Eagles are also a popular design for weather vanes made from sheet copper, brass or tin. Eagles were featured motifs in fabrics, beautifully stitched into quilts, draperies and rugs -- often elaborately ornamented with stars, flowers, sun rays, trees and houses.
PROVENANCE: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
CATEGORY: old antique vintage painting for auction sale online
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SKU#: 122916
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BIOGRAPHY:
The son of artist Paul Calle, Chris Calle studied painting and illustration at the University of Michigan School of Art and has become known both for his paintings and postage stamp designs.