Painting of Three Childress Children
Portrait is a family heirloom owned by Sallie Thomas, a relative of First Lady Sarah Childress Polk. We're not sure exactly who the children in the portrait are other than that they were also part of the extended Childress family. The portrait is quite large and hangs on the wall in a large ornate frame so we haven't taken it down and haven't seen the back of it. Portrait was appraised in 1970 for $25,000 and the artist was identified in the appraisal as Henry Inman (copy of appraisal attached). There are some notes from family members that may have additional info but we haven't been able to sort through them in any organized fashion yet.
Portrait not including frame is about 50 inches by 40 inches.
Inherited
Yes
Hi Joe,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Joe Benz was a reputable antiques dealer, expert and appraiser and I've no reason to doubt the validity of his 1970 appraisal for $25,000. I'm assuming this value was for insurance purposes and would have reflected the standard valuation differentiation between fair market $10,000-15,000 and retail replacement value of $25,000.
The market for historical portraits, including those by Henry Inman, is not as robust as it once was and other comparable portraits of similar size, composition and historical subject matter that have sold at auction in recent years have tended to all sell for less than $10,000; this would most likely do well at auction with an estimate of $6,000-9,000 and a retail replacement (insurance) value of $15,000.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
Attributed to Henry Inman (American, 1801-1846)
Portrait of the Childress children, circa 1833
oil on canvas, in a regilt Victorian plaster on wood-frame with center and corner cartouches.
49 by 39-1/2 inches
CONDITION: With some old repairs and relining.
PROVENANCE: Once owned by Mr and Mrs Charles F. Thomas, Hilton Head, SC
Fair market value: $6,000-9,000*
Insurance value: $15,000
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
