Antique Etching Wooden Frame

:: This piece is a bit of an enigma -- most likely an etching or engraving that it is beautiful, intricate and certainly is a very old antique piece of art with a beautiful hand-carved wooden frame surrounding it. What we have been able to piece together when researching this piece is that with 19th century etching prints and engravings, the name on the left was always the original artist's name and the name on the right was who printed it but this only has one signature and seems to have one artist name. On bottom left it reads: "W.M. Burd, Pinxt and 'del on stone" -- pinx means painted; del means drawn and we are assuming "on stone" means on stone. Drawing depicts a young girl possibly a nun who is looking nervous as the shadow of another person looms over her. She was in the middle of weaving something that appears to be a chair seat -- perhaps she is not moving fast enough. With a bit of a somber tone, this piece is quite striking as it is in incredible in its detailing having a photographic quality to it, allows the viewer to create a story to surround the scene, and truly speaks to the way of life of another time. Overall piece measures 14" x 16". Conditional notes: there is some light wear and tear on frame and some very slight browning of the drawing and the matte board.

Item ID: 01164