Portait of Wiliam B. Scaife
Object number2018.64.1 a,b
Artist
Unknown
Datec. 1840
MediumOIl on canvas; Wood; Metal; Rubber
Credit LineGift of Roger Livingston Scaife, Charles Sprague Scaife, Benjamin Lincoln Scaife, Stephen White Scaife
DescriptionFramed oil painting on canvas. Bust portrait of a young man, depicted in three-quarter-view facing slightly proper left. Sitter has dark hair and wears a dark green suit with red vest, white high-collar shirt, and dark blue cravat.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (Framed): 29 × 24.875 × 2.25 in. (73.7 × 63.2 × 5.7 cm)Height x Width (Sight size): 22.625 × 18.625 in. (57.5 × 47.3 cm)
Signednone
InscriptionsFrame has brass plate on front at bottom center with engraved text "William B. Scaife. / Born Sept 5. 1812 - Died Apl. 2. 1876. / Son of Jeffrey and Lydia Scaife".
Verso has paper framer's label at top center with gold text "J.J. GILLESPIE CO. / PICTURES / MIRRORS / FINE ART / GALLERIES / 639 LIBERTY AVE. / PITTSBURGH, PA."
Verso has handwritten graphite text at center to the left of the top air ventilation hole: "MG Richertson", handwriting is difficult to decipher.
Verso of frame has handwritten graphite text in bottom left corner "Ricketson / Sept".
Verso of title plate has handwritten graphite text "Ricketson".
Historical NotesThis portrait originated in Pittsburgh and was passed down the family line through the male heirs: William B. Scaife; Roger Livingston Scaife; Roger Marvin Scaife; Benjamin Lincoln Scaife William B. Scaife was born in Pittsburgh on September 5, 1812, the son of English immigrants, Jeffery and Lydia (Borrett) Scaife. Jeffery Scaife started a business in 1802 that manufactured tin and sheet-iron goods, eventually William took over the business, and in 1833, named it W.B. Scaife & Co. They manufactured tin, sheet-iron, and copper goods. In 1867, he changed the name again to William B. Scaife & Sons. William married Mary Frisbee. They had six sons and attended M.E. Church. William, a Whig and Republican, died in 1876. The Scaife Company continued on for over 100 years and the Scaife family played a major role in the development of the region.
Related person
William Borrett Scaife
(1812 - 1876)
Related institution
William B. Scaife & Sons
Related institution
J.J. Gillespie & Company
Previous owner
Roger Livingston Scaife
Previous owner
Roger Marvin Scaife
Terms
On View
On view
David Birdsey Walkley
Albert Francis King
