July 12-14, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/12/2022
Umbrella or parasol with an impressed horn handle in the form of a rattlesnake head on the tip, and at the base with a portrait bust of Washington in an oval cartouche on the left, with "Washington" along its lower edge, and on the right a pretty American eagle with US shield on its chest, clutching arrows and olive branch, with 13 stars at bottom and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" along the top edge. Opened by sliding a brass sleeve along a central wood shaft. Metal rods from the upper edge of the cylinder attached to the midpoints of wood slats hinged at the top would force the umbrella open, with the cylinder held by a spring in central shaft. Consignor reports a provenance to Washington himself. CONDITION: Good. Fragments of original blue fabric in place at top. All nine hinged wood slats loose but in place. Grip shows wear along the midpoint and curving tip, changing its color from brown to gray, with details of the Washington portrait rubbed but visible, the eagle sharper, and details of the snake head visible. It has been suggested the figure might be an eagle's head, but the rounded nose and contours clearly suggest the rattlesnake, an equally American patriotic motif.