Stencil

Object Name:

Stencil

Object ID:

1968.049.55

Date:

1900-1910

Description:

Set of 16 stencils used by Jacob M. Kelly (1867-1953) of Lebanon, NH, for decorating building interiors, mainly churches, in the early 20th century. All cut in heavy varnished paper. Horizontal rectangles, some with irregular edges. Paint around edges of all cutouts.

1. Floral design. White paint on cream-colored paper. 18.5" x 24".
2. Unidentified design. Green paint on brown paper. 21" x 24". One large piece and four separated fragments.
3. Unidentified design. Cream-colored paint on brown paper. 16.4" x 22". Two large pieces and two separated fragments.
4. Unidentified design. Beige paint on dark brown paper. 19" x 27". Two large pieces and four separated fragments.
5. Floral design. White paint on brown paper. 14" x 24".
6. Wreath and fleur-de-lis design. Paper has truncated corners. Green and pink paint on brown paper. 16.5" x 24". Stamped in ink on back: "NO. 608 / PRICE, $.50".
7. Floral design. Green paint on brown paper. 8.6" x 24.25".
8. Floral design. Green, red, and white paint on brown paper. 8.3" x 23.5". Stamped in ink on front: "NO. [obscured] / PRICE, $.50".
9. Foliate design. Cream-colored paint on brown paper. 7.8" x 19".
10. Floral design. Green, red, and blue paint on brown paper. 6.7" x 24".
11. Abstract design. Green, red, and blue paint on brown paper. 6.75" x 21.25". Stamped in ink on front: "NO. [obscured] / PRICE $.20".
12. Floral design. Green, red, and blue paint on brown paper. 8" x 17.25".
13. Floral design. Green paint on brown paper. 5.75" x 19.2".
14. Abstract design. Green paint on brown paper. 4.6" x 18".
15. Row of 12 circles, each 0.7" diam. Cream-colored paint on brown paper. 3.25" x 20.1".
16. Fleur-de-lis. Gold paint on brown paper. 4.25" x 14.6"

Material:

Paper

Provenance:

Probably found by donor in her home at 62 Elm Street, Lebanon, NH, the former residence of Jacob M. Kelly.

Jacob Milton Kelly was born in Rumney, NH, in 1867. He worked as a painter and decorator in Boston before coming to Lebanon in 1902. He is listed in the 1907 Lebanon City Directory as J. M. Kelly, house painter, interior decorator, and paper hanger, at 62 Elm Street. The donor described him as a "master painter and decorator, an expert on Victorian work and frescoing, mainly church building interiors. He came to Lebanon in 1902 with John Gannon, decorating the Congregational and Methodist Churches."

Credit Line:

Gift of Ethel Rock Millen

People:

Kelly, Jacob M. (1867-1953)

Subjects:

Stencils, Interior decoration