Original Watercolor Washbasin Study

Please note: This original is currently being prepared for sale and will show as "sold out" until the sale date. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this preview. 

When studying this original Tasha Tudor watercolor, you feel like you recognize the antique washbasin from a Tasha Tudor book, excepting that this painting was never published. The antique wash basin and pitcher rest on a white table runner with red borders, a common linen in Tasha’s home. The basin is accompanied by a cup as well as by a handle-less cup holding a wooden toothbrush. A matching covered dish rests on the tabletop as well, likely a soap dish. The tabletop contains many of the things needed for the morning toilette. Tasha indicates the table with the barest of lines, no sides or legs are visible, suitable for a vignette meant to add subtle atmosphere to a book. 

Two stickers are affixed to the paper backing on the back of the frame. One is a typewritten note identifying this painting as “Tasha Tudor unsigned original – pencil notation lower right edge by artist. Dresser set:  ‘Tried sketch for Becky’s Birthday.’ “

The second note, this one handwritten, states: “Becky’s Birthday Sample illus. not used. Washstand set (note on back - not signed.)”

We have not dismantled the original backing which is held in by old glazier's points. The buyer will have the delight of exploring what we expect is Tasha’s handwriting on the back of the artwork. 

This painting was originally purchased at the Dutch Inn Gift Shop in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania, which was owned and run by longtime Tudor family friends Ned Hills and his sister, Charlotte Hills Brown. This piece has been in the same family since its purchase.

The original French mat, Tasha’s preferred treatment for her originals, shows fading, yellowing at the opening, and foxing. We highly recommend that the next owner professionally replace the existing matte and backing with acid-free materials. 

The soft blue wooden frame shows some mild dings, frankly the right amount that many modern companies now attempt to achieve when selling new items marketed with a falsely antiqued finish. The outer edge is of a golden edge, the inner trim a darker blue. Quite possibly plexiglass instead of glass.

This painting would be lovely in a historic inn, an older home like Tasha’s 1789 New Hampshire home, or modern homes lovingly decorated with other objects evoking times past. 

Watercolor & pencil

Circa 1960

Frame size:  11”x13”

Matte opening size: 3 ½” x 5 ¼”