Joseph Sold into Slavery by His Brothers
Needlework textile, likely silk or wool embroidery on a linen or canvas ground • Anonymous folk artist, likely a young woman in an American or Continental European female academy or seminary
Style & Movement
Neoclassical Folk Art / Academic Needlework
Medium & Technique
Silk and/or wool thread featuring petit point and tent stitch techniques; likely incorporates hand-coloring or painted details on the ground fabric to enhance facial features
Creation Period
Late 18th to mid-19th Century (c. 1790-1850)
Dimensions & Format
Small-scale rectangular format, approximately 10 x 8 inches; portrait orientation
Subject Description
Biblical narrative from Genesis: Joseph is sold by his brothers to Ishmaelite merchants. The composition features figures in stylized Orientalist/Biblical garb, with a background featuring camels and palm trees indicating an Egyptian/Levantine setting.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; exhibiting significant age-related wear, light fading of dyes, and structural issues with the mounting
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $600 USD
Auction Estimate
$200 - $400 USD
Provenance History
Likely originated from a private estate in Pennsylvania (noting the York County, PA auction context); handwriting '2' on the frame indicates previous lotting or inventory
Art Historical Significance
Represents the tradition of 'Schoolgirl Art' where young women demonstrated domestic virtue and education through elaborate needlework of historical or biblical scenes.
Notable Features
The use of vibrant blues and reds suggests the use of early synthetic or high-quality natural dyes; the background includes a desert caravan which is a classic trope of 19th-century biblical illustration.
Condition Issues
Fading of textile pigments (light damage), fraying at the edges where the textile meets the mat, potential acidic migration from the wooden frame, and substantial loss of finish/veneer on the primary frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Remove from acidic wooden housing, clean with low-suction micro-vacuum, and remount using acid-free materials and UV-protective glass.