January 16, 2020 The Susquehanna Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/16/2020
Boldly drawn with colorful images of tulips, parrots, mermaids and a large alligator, this fraktur is inscribed in the bottom in English "Allegator & Mare Maid & Man". It is closely related to several fraktur made by Daniel Otto that include a large alligator and mermaids but appears to be made by a different hand, possibly Daniel's brother Jacob Otto. The unusual purple color used on the alligator is very uncommon on fraktur by Henrich Otto, father of Daniel and Jacob. Jacob Otto worked in Lancaster County as a furniture maker and a fraktur artist; he is listed in the 1790 census as a resident of Mount Joy Township and in 1800 in Rapho Township. On the Otto family of fraktur artists, see Lisa Minardi, "Henrich Otto and Sons: Fraktur Artists and Furniture Decorators" in "Der Reggeboge: Journal of the Pennsylvania German Society" vol. 49, no. 2 (2015). For related examples by Daniel Otto, see Minardi, ibid., p. 79; Weiser, "Fraktur: Pennsylvania German Folk Art", (Ephrata, Pennsylvania: Science Press, 1973), p. 94. CONDITION: Examined out of frame. Losses and toning.
Item Dimensions: Frame: 10 - 1/2" x 11 -3/4".