A THIRTEEN STAR CEREMONIAL AMERICAN FLAG.


[Virginia], c.1826. Silk flag, 124.7 x 139.5 cm. Union with 13 hand-painted stars in silver with red borders, 7 red and 6 white stripes, the union and stripes made of separate pieces of blue, white and red fabric, stitched together. Fly end with 20 grommet holes, with small metal ring grommets (1 lacking). Fading, considerable browning, small areas of fabric loss. Framed.Provenance: William H. Guthman (sold to current owner).A display flag made for the 50th anniversary of independence, with a star pattern of 12 small stars in a circle and a single larger star in the center. This may have been intended for hanging vertically, based upon the multiple small grommets at the fly end. Numerous flags of varying design were produced for the 50th anniversary, often with 13 stars (such as the "Bennington" flag with the numerals 76 in the union) and displayed at patriotic events and celebrations around the country. The official national flag at that time had 24 stars.