December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
Carved, sandstone plaques, each approximately 43 3/4 x 16 3/4 x 5 inches. Found by the previous owner in eastern Pennsylvania, these handsome relief carvings of an 18th century fieldpiece and a siege mortar were likely set in the walls of key arsenal structures or in masonry walls, the most likely candidate being Schuylkill Arsenal (established 1800) although Frankford Arsenal (established 1816) is a possibility, both being located in Philadelphia. The Schuylkill Arsenal at Philadelphia was established in 1800 and situated on Schuylkill River at Grays Ferry Avenue, serving as the principal supply center for arms, accoutrements and uniforms for the US Army prior to and during the War of 1812 until the Civil War. During the Civil War, 10,000 outside seamstresses and tailors were hired to supply the Union Army with uniforms, blankets, tents, and bedding. The Arsenal, later renamed the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot, provided the military with supplies through World War I, later transitioning into a Quartermaster School and storage facility and closing in 1957 and subsequently sold. Most of the building were razed in 1963 and these objects could have been salvaged at that time. They probably date to the period 1800-1820, judging by the style of carving. During this period, a number of important sculptors and stone carvers were working in Philadelphia, including John Eckstein (1735-1817) and William Rush (1756-1833), noted carver of figureheads for early US Navy warships. Further research is greatly warranted for these extremely important and rare examples of early American martial sculpture.