Sign for the Temperance Hotel
MakerMaker
Unknown
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Joseph Sherman Gladding
(American, 1787 - 1872)
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
John Dunham
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
N. A. Brown
Dateabout 1826-1842
MediumPainted on pine board and moldings, gold leaf, tin leaf, smalt, and iron hardware
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width including hardware): 47 x 76 5/8in. (119.4 x 194.6cm)
Other (height x width of sign only): 39 1/8 x 76 1/4in. (99.4 x 193.7cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineCollection of Morgan B. Brainard. Gift of Mrs. Morgan B. Brainard.
Object number1961.63.47
DescriptionImages: On side one, a white horse pulling a chariot driven by a man in classical garb, with spear held in upraised right hand. On side two, an eagle with upraised wings, perched on globe, flanked by the sun and moon with stars overhead.
Construction: Two boards, grain oriented horizontally, assembled by a tongue-and-groove joint. Moldings, mitered at the corners, are attached to the edges of the panel.
Surface: On both sides, the name band has been repainted in ocher paint with the word "TEMPERANCE" over larger, gold leaf letters used for Gladwin's name. Lettering and images are skillfully executed. The ground layer is a thick, grayish white paint. On side one, there are many drawing lines visible, some not used, which indicate that the chariot image was drawn free-hand, directly on the board. A compass was used to lay out the wheel of the chariot. On side two, details of the crescent moon, stars, eagle talons, and laurel branch were originally executed in tin leaf, now tarnished beyond recall. The red banner in the eagle's beak may have been part of an early version, apparently covered by the artist when he applied the smalt background.
Construction: Two boards, grain oriented horizontally, assembled by a tongue-and-groove joint. Moldings, mitered at the corners, are attached to the edges of the panel.
Surface: On both sides, the name band has been repainted in ocher paint with the word "TEMPERANCE" over larger, gold leaf letters used for Gladwin's name. Lettering and images are skillfully executed. The ground layer is a thick, grayish white paint. On side one, there are many drawing lines visible, some not used, which indicate that the chariot image was drawn free-hand, directly on the board. A compass was used to lay out the wheel of the chariot. On side two, details of the crescent moon, stars, eagle talons, and laurel branch were originally executed in tin leaf, now tarnished beyond recall. The red banner in the eagle's beak may have been part of an early version, apparently covered by the artist when he applied the smalt background.
Collections
Label TextDuring the peak of the Temperance movement in the 1840s, some Connecticut towns refused to grant tavern licenses at all. The pressure to limit or abolish alcohol consumption prompted some innkeepers to operate “dry” establishments, known as temperance taverns or hotels. In 1846, there were 57 of these reported in the state. In the same year the Total Abstinence Society in New Haven reported that Colchester had 400 temperance society members, “4 temperance stores, 1 rum tavern, 2 rum stores, 1 temperance tavern, [and] 4 deaths from intemperance during the last two years.”
Status
On view
1814-1820