"BY THE NAME OF SYLVESTER"

This heraldic watercolor illustrates, by means of sylvan imagery, the family name of “Sylvester.” More complex and artful than most of these family crests attributed to the Massachusetts heraldic painter John Coles (1749-1809), the crest is surmounted by a fifteen star American flag. The fifteenth star was added to our flag on Jan. 13, 1794, and we assume that to be the approximate date of the watercolor.
Massachusetts, c. 1794.
In excellent condition; 12” x 16” framed.