George Washington Bowen Painted Fire Bucket, ca 1822

Print Previous Next

George Washington Bowen Painted Fire Bucket, ca 1822

A fine painted leather fire bucket with the name Geo. W. Bowen and No. 1, 1822 on it. The bucket is black, with the painting in faded gold, the letters of the owner's name being 1 1/4 inches tall. The bucket retains its leather handle rings, although the handle itself is missing. It has a rolled leather rim, and is stitched up both sides and around the base. The bucket is in all regards nearly identical to several similar buckets in the possession of the Newport Rhode Island Historical Society. The bucket was the property of George Washington Bowen, (1794-1885) who was the illegitimate son of Eliza Bowen Jumel, an infamous courtesan.and beauty who married several times, including to an elderly Aaron Burr, the former Vice President of the United States and the man who shot Alexander Hamilton in their famous duel. Bowen would have given birth to George Washington Bowen at the age of 10, when she was already working as a prostitute for her mother, a brothel keeper and prostitute herself. Bowen was fostered out to a more responsible couple, and was raised in Providence, Rhode Island, later moving to Newport where he worked as a highly respected baker and shopkeeper for many years, until his death in 1885. His death mask is in the collection of the New York Historical Society as, upon his mother's death in 1865 he filed multiple unsuccessful suits to be declared his mother's heir. She left a considerable fortune, having successively married two well-to-do French sea captains, and then Aaron Burr. Bowen's suits failed, however, as he had no way of proving his parentage. Size: 12 inches tall and 10 inches across. Processing and shipping within the continental U.S. $35.00 plus 1.5% replacement cost insurance. Discounts given on combined lot shipping.

Condition:

The bucket is in generally very good condition, retaining most of its original black finish, and with the painted decoration also very good. The leather if flaking around the rolled rim, particularly on one side. There are other small areas of flaking on the body. There is no handle, although the brass rings for the handle are intact. The stitching on the base is intact, as is the majority of stitching on both sides.

Array
(
    [live_biddable] => 
    [inquire] => 
    [phone] => 
    [phone_bid] => 0
    [sold] => 
    [unsold] => 1
    [make_offer] => 
    [estimate] => 1
    [timer] => 1
    [current_bid] => 1
    [asking_bid] => 1
    [start_price] => 
    [buy_it_now_price] => 
    [bid_activity] => 
    [bid] => 
    [high_timed_bid] => 
    [purchase] => 
    [following] => 
)

Estimate: $2,500 - $5,000

Unsold/Reserve Not Met

Have a Similar Item?

Consign With Us

Witherell strives to provide as much information and photographs as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Condition statements are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Witherell. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms and Conditions. Methods of payment are cash, check, money orders, or wire transfer for foreign payments. Please note we do not accept credit cards. This auction has a buyer's premium of 15%.

LUXURY ASSET AUCTION

George Washington Bowen Painted Fire Bucket, ca 1822