This neatly made and finely decorated hope chest is
donated by Sandy Greco. Sandy, studied ceramics and fine art in Palermo Italy.
Sandy is noted for her remarkable Fraktur Art.
Sandy's art career was inspired by her father who worked in wood and restored
painted antique furniture in Sicily. She began working in the Fraktur style
when she encountered Fraktur at her first CLA show. The patterns and colors
struck a chord with her, reminding her of her father's work and the intricate
patterns and aging techniques she had learned in Palermo. Sandy lists her art
frequently on the CLA sales site and her pieces go quickly. Last year she
donated a Fraktur painting to the auction that sold very well.
This year she has followed up with this fine small
scale hand painted hope chest.. This piece connects with her family roots and
with early American Fraktur decorated furniture. Young Pennsylvania girls
started sewing household items and saved them in their Hope, or Dower, chests
for their future marriage. These chests became a storage place for their
important documents, many of them Fraktur objects. The amount of decoration
varied with the wealth of the owner and the style of the decoration is
associated with the county where the chest was made.
This nicely made pine chest by Tom Greco is 12
inches high, 20 inches wide and 14 inches deep. Sandy's decoration on this
piece is extraordinary. The subtle aging of the finish and surfaces compliment
the classic Pennsylvania Dutch decor. The interior is lined with heavy cotton
material embellished with brass tacks, and antiqued brass handles on the
outside.
Sandy is now married to Tom Greco and lives here in
Illinois with their family. Tom was a great supporter in getting her to
undertake this traditional art form. Sandy states she chose to make this
decorated chest for the auction to help support the CLA mission and to give
back to all the wonderful artist who have supported her.
In addition to the photos of the hope chest we
included photo of her fraktur painting from last years auction.
Sandy Greco can be contacted via email at flintlock52@yahoo.com.
Copy by Heinz Ahlers with photos supplied by CLF.
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