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The Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund, 2005.124.0  Photograph by David Stansbury © 2012 The Conn…
Sign for Butler's Inn
The Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund, 2005.124.0 Photograph by David Stansbury © 2012 The Connecticut Historical Society.
Photographs and all rights purchased by the Connecticut Historical Society.

Sign for Butler's Inn

Original Owner (American, 1751 - 1813)
MediumWood and paint with iron hardware
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth, oval shape): 50 x 35 5/8 x 2 5/8in. (127 x 90.5 x 6.7cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund
DescriptionTwo-sided, oval-shaped tavern sign with a banded boarder enclosing a painted panel. The words "A Bird in the Hand is Worth two in the Bush" are painted in the border curving over the top of the oval. The name "E. Butler" is painted in the border curving around the bottom of the oval; part of the name "Benjamin" is still visible under the paint layer with the current name. In the right foreground of the painted panel, a hand grasps a bird with red, black, and white plummage. In the left foreground, extending all the way to the top of the painted panel, is a tree with two more birds. In the background, the landscape slopes down a hill toward pine trees. An iron ring hanger is mounted on each side of the frame, about fifteen inches from the top.
Object number2005.124.0
On View
On view
1945.1.1396.9a,b
Unknown
1800-1810
Gift of Mrs. Florence Van Fleet Lyman, 1939.2.1, Connecticut Historical Society, Copyright Unde…
Simeon Jocelin
about 1820
Gift of Mabel Johnson, 1953.2.0, Connecticut Historical Society, Copyright Undetermined
John Avery Jr.
about 1780, case reworked in the late 19th century
Punch Bowl
Unknown
early 20th century
Militia Hatplate
Unknown
1812-1820
The Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund, 2007.4.1, Connecticut Historical Society, Copyright Undet…
Albert G. Walker
1858
Gift of Frederick and Margaret Barbour, 1961.9.2  © The Connecticut Historical Society.
Calvin Willey
1780-1800
Soup Tureen and Tray
Unknown
1800-1810
Child's Rocking Chair
E. W. Vaill
1876-1885
Platter
Royal-Saxonian Porcelain Manufactory Meissen
mid 19th century