Name/Title
Wallhanging, Plowshares: Kitchen Pocket, Herbs U803Description
A Plowshares Kitchen Pocket wallhanging with a three-color silkscreen print on natural linen depicting potted and dried herbs, a chopper and pepper grinder, along with quotes from Poor Richard’s almanac and Jonathan Swift.
The first of the two quotes, “Much virtue in herbs, little in men”, from Poor Richard’s Amanac published by Benjamin Franklin, suggests that herbs can be depended on far more than humans.
The attribution of the onion poem to “Dean Swift” is actually a reference to author Jonathan Swift (Gulliver’s Travels, etc.). Swift became Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, after which he was known as Dean Swift.
Within the composition, sage is given center stage, presented as the largest plant in the largest pot. Wert may be playing with the meaning of the word “sage”, turning the herb into the oldest, wisest one in the garden.
The pocket at the bottom held a stapled paper cookbook titled “Kitchen Notes”; see “Branding” entries for complete cookbook. There was also a paper calendar stapled to the front of the pocket; see second image.
This example came from the family of a former Country Prints employee. It was probably considered a “second” due to the ink smudges above “little in men”, and was sold at a discount.
Launched in 1964 for the 1965 calendar year, Plowshares is Country Prints’ line of narrow wallhangings, typically 8” x 24”, the majority of which are Christian in theme. Each came with a hand printed envelope for mailing or gift giving.
Top edge is hemmed to accept a dowel rod for hanging. Remaining edges are serged and bound with an overlock stitch.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Robert Darr WertRole
ArtistManufacturer
Country PrintsDate made
circa 1964Time Period
20th CenturyPlace
Location
Gill MA.Continent
North AmericaInscription/Signature/Marks
“© wert PLOWSHARES”, lower left corner, and “by hand ON PURE LINEN”, lower right corner.Dimensions
Dimension Description
OverallHeight
18 inWidth
8-1/2 inDimension Description
PocketHeight
6 inWidth
8-1/2 inMaterial
Unbleached Linen, Textile InkColor
Green, Khaki Green, Black
