IMPRESSIVE SILK AMERICAN MILITARY FLAG

IMPRESSIVE SILK AMERICAN MILITARY FLAG

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$6,950.00

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Item Code: 2025-1887

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At first glimpse this now 29 inch by 29-inch hand painted white silk flag appears to be of Civil War vintage, and although that may be exactly what it is, it is not impossible that it dates a half a century earlier. Beautifully painted on both sides of the flag and just north of the framed center is a large round medallion that measures 16 inches by 15 inches. The scene painted is in a style seen very early in our nation's history.  At center an eagle having outstretched wings is surmounting a bolt of lightning and this is over leaves of laurel. The eagle is in front of a red sunburst and behind this another burst of perhaps clouds and all this on blue skies. A ribbon on either side of this eagle has the motto" "UNION IS STRENGTH". (The Latin proverb "Vis unita fortior" translates to "In union is strength". This motto emphasizes the idea that when people come together and work as a team, they are more powerful and effective than when they are divided. The origin of this motto is not definitively known, but it is often attributed to the Roman poet and philosopher Seneca. Seneca believed in the power of unity and cooperation, and this sentiment is reflected in many of his writings.).  Below all this is a cannon behind earthworks. This ribboned motto on one side wraps around a long lance or pole surmounted by a mitre helmet or liberty cap. Encircling the whole is a gold laurel. On the obverse side of the flag the painted motto reads " E PLURIBUS UNUM". Below all this is a cannon behind earthworks. This ribboned motto on one side wraps around a long lance or pole surmounted by a mitre helmet or liberty cap. Encircling the whole is a gold laurel.

The white (age turned tannish) silk field of the flag is in excellent condition with some staining and minor "breaks" in the silk. One suspects the flag, framed several decades ago with glass on both sides, was originally 36 inches by 36 inches. We extrapolate this measurement from the trimmed framed flag. This size is considered correct for artillery. Does the presence of a cannon mean it was artillery? No, it does not. The central motif, that is the painting, has no elements that says to this compiler with certainty Civil War. The fact is that a lot of these motifs seem earlier in style that is pre-dating the Civil War. Among them the eagle, the mitre topped "liberty pole", the lightning bolts in the form of a bundle (very much Napoleonic) and the double trail on the artillery piece as seen in the 1st quarter of the 19th century and earlier. The flag could date back to the late Federal period (1812-1840). The motto " UNION IS STRENGTH" certainly puts one in mind of the turbulent pre-Civil War and Civil War years but the motto was universally used since ancient times. The riband on the reverse reads, “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”

Very few silk nineteenth century military flags survive today in anything close to this wonderful condition. This is a museum worthy piece of Americana.   [pe] [ph:L]

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