Attributed to Franz Anton von Scheidel

(Austrian, 1731-1801)

Five watercolors of snails, scallops, oysters, unsigned, watercolor on wove paper, three with "J. Whatman" 18th century watermark, each sheet approximately 8-7/8 x 12-7/8 in. matching gilt wood frames, approximately 16 x 19-1/2 in.

Provenance: Two, Sotheby Parke-Bernet, Inc, January 20, 1982, lot 146; Private Georgia Collectionnon appear in the catalog for the sale inscribed verso the backing of one (Literature: Sotheby Parke-Bernet, and Franz Anton von Scheidel. Old Master Drawings from the Sixteenth Through the Eighteenth Centuries: Including Works by Benso, Blake, Cambiaso ... and a Group of Eighteenth Century Watercolors by Franz Anton Von Scheidel : Public Auction: Wednesday, January 20, 1982. 1982.)

Note: It is unusual to see a wove paper from the 18th century produced by James Whatman. James Whatman developed wove paper in the mid 1700s with the famous printer William Baskerville. While not much was produced initially, it was in high demand by artists such as Thomas Gainsborough, who preferred it for his watercolors.
Condition Report: each hinged in, gray paper residue verso at four points from old mounts, very slight toning, good color; frames with abrasions