Product Details

A striking vintage embossed metal lighthouse relief handmade by Esther Waters Maron of St. Joseph, Illinois. The dimensional scene features a lighthouse overlooking a rocky shoreline with coastal buildings, birds, water, and landscape details worked directly into the metal. Silver-tone highlights and subtle green accents give the image depth and an almost sculptural appearance, all framed in a warm wood-tone frame. The original backing adds an especially interesting piece of provenance. It is hand-marked “Light House,” “Esther Maron,” and “Hope #104,” along with Maron’s St. Joseph, Illinois information. Research identifies Hope Chapter No. 104 as the Urbana, Illinois chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, giving this handmade piece a documented connection to the Champaign-Urbana area and Esther Maron’s local history. The reverse also appears to include the handwritten notation “C/U.” While that abbreviation may refer to Champaign/Urbana, its exact meaning has not been independently confirmed. Measures approximately 13.5" x 16.5" framed. More than ordinary coastal decor, this is a distinctive Illinois-made folk/craft art piece with named maker provenance and an Order of the Eastern Star connection—an appealing find for collectors of vintage lighthouse art, nautical decor, Illinois history, fraternal memorabilia, folk art, or one-of-a-kind handmade pieces.