Name/Title
Towel, Wallhanging: Barn Hex U251Description
A Country Prints production sample retained as a print record.
A four-color silkscreen print on natural linen depicting two barns, and a horse drawn covered wagon. The barn walls are decorated with large painted hex signs. Below, a large heart bears the text, “Barn Signs, Rural Pennsylvania”. A hand wields a compass, showing how the hex signs are drawn. Text at lower right reads: “Most students of folk art conclude that hex signs began simply as decorative symbols and were not intended to possess magical qualities.”
A matching tile was also produced; see images. These items were available singly or in matched gift sets.
This design appears in the brochures “Country Prints by Robert Darr Wert and Neighbors”, c.1963 and c.1966.
This is one of over sixty designs sold by Country Prints to Stevens Linen Associates of Dudley, Massachusetts, in January 1969. From that point onward, the designs were produced by Stevens with all reference to Robert Darr Wert and Country Prints removed. Many of these designs continued to be produced by Stevens throughout the 1970’s and some into the 1980’s.
In a memo from Fritz Kaufhold (Country Prints business manager) to Bob MacKay (Stonelea Mills/Stevens Linen Associates) dated February 12, 1969, Fritz notes, “Though of distinctly Penn Dutch flavor, popular in other areas.” Later in the memo it is noted as an average seller in the Country Prints line.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Robert Darr WertRole
ArtistManufacturer
Country PrintsDate made
circa 1963Time Period
20th CenturyPlace
Location
Gill MA.Continent
North AmericaNotes
Top edge hemmed to accept a dowel rod for hanging. Bottom edge hemmed. Left and right edges are selvedges.Inscription/Signature/Marks
“wert by hand © 1963 COUNTRY PRINTS”, lower left corner.Dimensions
Dimension Description
ApproximateHeight
30 inWidth
17 inMaterial
Bleached Linen, Textile InkColor
Black, Dark Green, Yellow Ochre, Red
