C. 1860s Geo. Scardefield Advertising Promotional Gold Leaf (Squirrel Hair) Brush crandall's antique toys and then also JJ Booth

and then also JJ Booth

his work has a distinctive latter day Art and Craft feel and a simple elegance that I think distinguishes it from much W

Thinly painted on what I believe is an unprimed linen panel/board

I would guess this sensitive portrait dates to the mid 19th century or so

C. 1860s Geo. Scardefield Advertising Promotional Gold Leaf (Squirrel Hair) Brush crandall's antique toys and then also JJ BoothI'm pretty certain the bristles here are squirrel hair, which continue to be used for applying gold leaf today. Established in 1833, George Scarderfield's at 335 W. 16th in Manhattan was "a dealer in all gilder's materials" which one would think would have made them quite successful as the century went on, as people really loved gold leafing things, but I can find no record of the business (Admittedly I have not dug very deeply.) In any event, quite a