Frankliniana Collection, Including Mason Chamberlin Portrait, Going Under the Hammer With Freeman’s | Hindman

An unrecorded portrait (circa 1778) of Benjamin Franklin attributed to Mason Chamberlin is going under the hammer in the American Furniture, Folk, and Decorative Arts Sale. The sale is hosted by Freeman’s | Hindman. Mason Chamberlin (English, 1727 – 1787) was one of the founding members of the Royal Academy of Arts (RA) in 1768. He is perhaps best remembered as a portrait painter, most notably for his portraits of Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790). In this portrait, Franklin looks directly at the viewer. One hand holds his iconic spectacles, while the other rests on an open book. This portrait bears several striking similarities to the well-known 1762 Portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Mason Chamberlin, currently in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The furniture selection includes urban and country furniture spanning the William & Mary period to George Nakashima. A fine and rare Chippendale walnut tall case clock is notable in the furniture section of the catalog. It was made in 1765 by David Rittenhouse (1732 – 1796). 

This sale features a wide range of decorative and fine arts from important early collections and institutions. These include an extremely rare and important group of Frankliniana, commemorative presidential items, Native American arts, folk art, and more. American silver from Paul Revere Jr. to 20th-century Tiffany, important timepieces, fine Chinese export porcelain, and portraiture will also be available. View the complete American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts catalog and register to bid by visiting Freeman’s | Hindman.