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(Description taken from Betty Ring's auction catalogue January 2012 at Sotheby's)
LOT 514
RARE EMBROIDERED AND PAINTED SILK MOURNING PICTURE: SACRED TO
THE MEMORY OF JOSIAH TORREY, ANONYMOUS, PROBABLY BOSTON,
CIRCA 1800
Worked in silk and paint with pen and ink on silk; retains original frame and glass; the
reverse with family history of Josiah Torrey and Cermenati & Monfrino Boston framer's label.
Height 14 1/2 in. by width 12 1/4 in.
EXHIBITED
American Needlework Treasures: Samplers and Silk Embroideries from the Collection of Betty Ring (p. 65, fig. 105)
CATALOGUE NOTE
Josiah Torrey (1720-1783), was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts and died in Abington, Massachusetts. His father
was a bricklayer and he waited table until he was given a scholarship to Harvard where he placed well up in his
class. For several years after his graduation he kept the Dedham school. In 1748 he was preaching in the Old-Light
Church
of Plymouth. Although offered several churches he declined and became a farmer. He achieved this by his marriage
in 1750 to Mary Pratt Brown, the widow of Rev. Samuel Brown of Abington. Although twenty years his senior, she
owned a comfortable farm and five slaves. After her death he married, in 1774, Mary Goddard Dodge, the widow of
Brown's successor, the Rev. Ezekiel Dodge. By neither did he have children. (Additional information provided by
Carol and Stephen Huber).
A related example, commemorating members of the Poole family of Abington, has been recorded (New York State Historical
Association). Josiah Torrey was a minister of Abington, Massachusetts. The large anchor represents the Christian
symbol of hope and is derived from the Epistle to the Hebrews, which refers to the everlasting virtue of God's
council in these words: "Which Hope we had as an anchor of the soul, both sure and tead fast."
ESTIMATE with 25% buyers premium $10,000 to $15,000
Special Offering: Sold
To discuss or purchase this item call (860) 388-6809 or email: Hubers@AntiqueSamplers.com
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