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Today I am offering this fabulous vintage scenic dendritic agate painting signed by what looks like D Lanham.
It depicts a Pioneer Western Wagon Train in great miniature detail.
Most likely a rendetion of the Oregon Trail.
(please scroll down to the bottom of this description to see additional information regarding the PROVENANCE of this piece)
This spectacular vintage micro-miniature folk art painting is masterfully executed directly onto a premium, irregular slab of natural translucent dendritic agate (siltstone matrix).
The independent artisan brilliantly used the stone's natural, tree-like manganese inclusions as organic sagebrush and forest scenery, seamlessly weaving a highly detailed historical narrative across the stone's surface.
The intricate scene features a long trail of Conestoga wagons with microscopic pioneers, scattered brown and white cattle showing varied motion, and a Native American scout on horseback watching from a dark natural mineral ridge.
It measures approximately as follows:
- ¼ inch thick
- 8 inches across the top edge
- 4 inches from top to bottom
The painting boasts impressive dimensional texture, particularly on the impasto paint layers highlighting the wagon tops.
The reverse side of the stone slab is unpainted.
Signed clearly in script "D Lanham" in the lower-left corner, this unique, one-of-a-kind piece of Americana flawlessly blends lapidary specimen collecting with elite Western folk art.
Obviously this artist was incredibly skilled.
It is in excellent vintage pre-owned condition with no significant damage. There are natural flaws in the stone, but nothing distracting or unsightly.
I believe it is circa 1970s.
Despite the age, the painting looks to be very well preserved.
✓ You will receive the exact item in the pictures. These are my own photos, not stock photos or screenshots unless otherwise indicated.
√ Please review all the pictures and ZOOM IN FOR CLOSE-UPS as they are an integral part of the description.
This artwork will ship USPS Priority mail, including appropriate insurance, carefully packaged for safe transit.
***USPS shipping cost is for the lower 48 US states only.
***Alaska, Hawaii, etc. must request a shipping quote prior to purchase.
*** determines international shipping costs.
CUSTOMS AND/OR TARIFF FEES MAY APPLY.
HERE'S SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PIECE:
PROVENANCE:
I acquired this piece recently when my best friend passed away.
She was an avid, dedicated, and knowledgeable "rock hound" gem and mineral collector for decades.
We attended the annual, world renown Tucson Gem and Mineral Show many times over the years as we weren't far away.
I don't specifically recall her picking up this piece there, she purchased so many items during our outings.
However, it was obtained either there or it may have been gifted to her from a local acquaintance long ago.
ABOUT THE STONE:
This is a polished slab of Dendritic Agate, often called "tree agate" due to the fern-like inclusions. (possibly Parral?)
The dark, plant-like patterns are actually manganese or iron oxide inclusions, not fossilized plants.
Slabs like this are primarily used by lapidary artists to create cabochons for jewelry, or kept as specimens for mineral collections.
While often found in the US, similar dendritic materials are also sourced from Mexico, Australia, and Africa.
ACCORDING TO GOOGLE AI, THIS IS WHAT I FOUND:
Donald Lanham (Donald Wesley Lanham, 1925–2003) was a professional artist, sculptor, and stone-and-metal worker from Louisville, Kentucky.
He was also active in community leadership, serving as the executive director of the Optimist and Red Shield Boys' Clubs in Louisville.
Profession: Professional artist and sculptor specializing in stone and metal media.
Life Span: Born in 1925; passed away on January 17, 2003, at age 77 in Louisville, KY.
Exhibitions: Featured as a regional Kentucky artist in mid-century architectural and regional arts gatherings, including the 1966 joint regional convention of the American Institute of Architects.
His work is hard-to-find and I've only seen a couple of pieces on Wortpoint.
The signature on the lower left confirms this artwork is by Don Lanham.
