Expressions of Innocence and Eloquence : Selections from the Jane Katcher Collection of Americana, Volume II

Expressions of Innocence and Eloquencepresents a superlative group of American folk and decorative arts created primarily in New England, New York, and Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries. This second volume of selections from the Jane Katcher Collection contains more than one hundred recent acquisitions, including a singular masterpiece of American basketry woven in Nevada by the renowned Louise Keyser (also known as Dat So La Lee) in 1913. Familiar categories of Americanaportraits, quilts, weathervanes, boxes, trade signs, miniature portraits, schoolgirl art, furniture, and Shaker objectsare joined here by new directions in collecting, represented by objects such as love tokens, friendship albums, and rewards of merit. Noted scholars discuss the historical, economic, and social context in which the objects were created, as well as their aesthetic qualities and their makers' craft methods. Lavishly illustrated with 470 color illustrations, this book, like its companion volume, is essential for anyone interested in American folk art, Shaker craft, early American furniture, and Native American artistry.

Jane Katcher is a retried pediatric radiologist and distinguished arts patron. David A. Schorsch is a specialist in fine American antiques and folk art. Ruth Wolfe is an editor and writer in the field of American folk art.