Auction details |
Alter From St. Paul's Cabela Catholic Church, North Florida. Southern pine, c. 1900. Many coats of white paint. The alter measures 57" h x 50" x 34". Intricate scarification details carved on sides, front and top. Very good to excellent condition. Est. $1,000-2,000. Buyer arranges for shipping. Still standing today, in Fernandina Beach, FL is the building that was once St. Paul's, the local Af. Am. Catholic Church and school during the days of segregation. It has been closed since the 60's. The alter was used for the life of the church. The sacrament box and alter had been separated for decades but re-united in the last five years. Thompson was more than a folk art carver, he was a common thread for the Af. Am community on Amelia Island. He made the furniture his friends and family used in their homes, his distinctive crown moldings decorated their houses, his tables and chairs were in the local juke joints and they celebrated mass in front of this alter. Thompson's work is in the permanent collection at the High Museum and is featured in Marsha Dean Phelts, "An American Beach for African Americans." (p. 51).
Condition reportVery good to excellent condition.
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