John Singleton Copley's Portrait of Samuel Phillips Savage (1764) is among the highlights of Christie's Americana Week, which will take place in New York between January 16-26.
The work, valued at $500,000-700,000, is to headline the Important Americana, Outsider and Folk Art sale on January 23.
 Samuel Phillips Savage was a prominent merchant and an American patriot |
Savage was heavily involved in the American Revolution, moderating two meetings held in Boston in the lead up to the infamous Tea Party.
He recorded the events of that day in his diary: "16 december - 342 Chests of Tea shiped [sic] by the E India Company and Consigned to Richard Clarke & Sons, Benj Faneuil junr & Govr Hutchinson 2 Sons, Tho.' & Elisha, was by a Number of persons unknown, disguised like Indians taken out of 3 Ships…& thrown into the Sea/ all done in 110 minutes."
Copley (1738-1815) was a prodigious artist who began his career in his early teens. He painted some of the best known figures of colonial and post-revolutionary America, including John Hancock and Sam Adams.
A sale of Important American Silver on January 22 will include a silver teapot by patriot Paul Revere that carries an estimate of $200,000-300,000.
Rounding the week off is an auction of Chinese export art that includes a famille rose rooster tureen and cover with a valuation of $100,000-150,000.
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