A Mid-Victorian Folk Art Slate Letter Press; 'Watch and Pray' c.1860-70

GBP 775.00

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Object Description

The mid-Victorian provincial thick slate modelled as a bible, the top engraved ‘Watch and Pray’ with seven graduated incised lines below, to a double ruled border filled with dots, the black surface beautifully worn with age, and surviving from the third quarter on nineteenth century England.

Object History

Unknown.

Object Literature

The text hails from Matthew 26:41 which in full reads “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Best explained by these two words being kept together ie: Watching without praying is like getting a diagnosis without a prescription. Praying without watching is like being in a pharmacy without knowing what’s wrong with you. The medicine you need is available, but you don’t know what to ask for.

Folksy, authentic and unique with a rather haunting undertone; perfect.

Object Condition

The piece is in totally original order with its lovely time-worn appearance being commensurate with age and use. It would now work beautifully well as a book-end, paperweight, or simply as a mantelpiece objets d’art. We cannot find a comparable example.

Object Details

Dealer Opening Times

By appointment only.

Dealer Contact

Telephone
+44 (0)1767 640995
Mobile
+44 (0)7729 213013
Web
Email

Dealer Location

The Onion Barn
Shoe Cottage
15 High Street
Blunham
Bedfordshire
MK44 3NL

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