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Preview image of work. oil on linen,  Bakers and Confectioners trade banner, Portland, 1841 21155

2010.43.9.1-.2

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Bakers and Confectioners trade banner, Portland, 1841

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Artist

Artist Unidentified (American)

Title

Bakers and Confectioners trade banner, Portland, 1841

Creation Date

1841

Century

mid-19th century

Dimensions

35 13/16 x 44 1/8 in. (91 x 112 cm)

Object Type

textile/natural fiber

Creation Place

North America, United States, Maine

Medium and Support

oil on linen

Credit Line

Collections of the Maine Historical Society, purchased by a coalition of Maine museums, including the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Barbara Cooney Porter Fund and Gift the Textile Arts Foundation (Robert D.Barton and Nancy Hemenway)

Copyright

This artwork may be under copyright. For further information, please consult the Museum’s Copyright Terms and Conditions.

Accession Number

2010.43.9.1-.2

Object Description

Per the James D. Julia Inc.'s Auction Catalogue (End of Summer Spectacular Maine Auction- 2010):
The hanging banner mounted to a round wood dowel with hanging loop having oil painted decoration on both sides with a red later addition yarn fringe. One side "WE'LL MOULD THE PASTE OF LIFE WITH SKILL, STAMP IT FOR USE AND NOT FOR SHOW; AND WHEN AT LAST OUR BATCH WE FILL, WE SHALL NOT WISH OUR "CAKE WAS DOUGH." in black letter with some red shadowing all on a white silk background. The reverse with "THE STAFF OF LIFE." in black letters with red shadowing. Painted with a scene of a large bundle of golden wheat all on a white silk background.

Per the Maine Memory Network in conjunction with the Maine Historical Society - October 2015:
A sheaf of wheat accompanied by the words "The Staff of Life" represented the Bakers and Confectioners trade group of the Charitable Mechanic Association in Portland on this banner painted in 1841.

The reverse of the linen banner reads, "We'll Mould the Paste of life with skill, Stamp it for Use and not for show; And when at lest our Batch we Fill, We shall not wish our "Cake was Dough."

Members of the trade group carried the banner in a parade on Oct. 8, 1841 in Portland, along with 16 other trade groups that belonged to the association. The parade was part of a Triennial Festival that promoted civic pride as well as the skilled artisans.

The Maine Charitable Mechanic Association began in 1815.