19th Century Folk Art Painted (Extra Large) Oyster Shell with Sailboats, Lighthouse and Dutch Flag 18 year girl diary and then "K" and "Q"

and then "K" and "Q" for the positions of King and Queen

I really love the arc of those orange arms

and also how the step down is cropped just out of the image such that he seems ready to step right toward us

This is much heavier and more solid than a tramp box constructed of cigar box pine

19th Century Folk Art Painted (Extra Large) Oyster Shell with Sailboats, Lighthouse and Dutch Flag 18 year girl diary and then "K" and "Q"The manner and relative fineness of this folk art (likely sailor made) shell painting says 19th century for sure. I've always got an eye for a good folk art painting on a shell, but this excellent seascape, purchased from a dealer in Maine, was an especially happy find, all the more so for having been painted on an oyster shell and an extra large one. With a Dutch flag flying from the lighthouse, so one presumes painted while at sea, far from home.