$1,107
Painted Leather "WASHINGTON FIRE-CLUB" Fire Bucket, Roxbury, Massachusetts, c. 1811, the bucket with partially wrapped leather and rope handle, painted gray-blue, decorated with a bowknot, a tasseled banner inscribed "JOHNNY ABBOT" over an oval reserve inscribed "WASHINGTON FIRE-CLUB 1811," above crossed branches, (paint wear, leather loss to handle), ht. to top of collar 11 1/2 in. Note: The Washington Fire Club was instituted at Roxbury, Massachusetts, on January 21st, 1800. According to the rules and regulations of the club, it was to consist of no more than fifteen members, with each member pledging, under penalty of fines, to uphold and follow a list of ten articles. Under the first article it is required that "each member shall provide himself with two leather Buckets, two Bags... and a bed Key,... the buckets to be painted strictly in uniform..." When a fire alarm sounded the club members were to "immediately repair to the buildings occupied by a member, which shall be most in danger, with our Buckets, Bags, and Key, and will use our best endeavours to extinguish the Fire and secure the property..."
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2013-03-03
