Portland, Maine, 1930-1970, with carved signature at lower right "J.E.W. Perates", carved and polychromed wood with floral cornice, single arched door, with blue painted interior flanked by brightly colored potted flowers, carved and painted base molding, walnut, pine, and other mixed woods with laminate back, 34-1/4 x 34-1/2 x 12 in.

Provenance: former collection, Mr. And Mrs. Michael Hall and Dr. Robert Bishop; Private Ohio Collection

Note: (1895-1970) Perates' carvings were discovered in the basement of a Greek Orthodox Church in Maine by Robert Bishop, founding director of the American Folk Art Museum, and Michael Hall, noted folk collector and scholar. This work was exhibited at the Cincinnati Art Museum in a one-person exhibition, entitled 20th Century American Icons: John Perates, from December 8, 1974 – January 5, 1975 (number 13). There were only 13 works exhibited. His work is extremely rare. His carvings were also shown at the Museum of American Folk Art in the winter of 1981 exhibition, entitled The Icons of John Perates.

Exhibited: Cincinnati Art Museum, "20th Century American Icons. December, 1974 to January, 1975." (label verso); Museum of American Folk Art "Icons of John Perates", 12 February to 10 May of 1981 (label verso)