French Neoclassical c. 1810 Charcoal Study of a Hand - One of Two fruit in bowl perhaps carefully arranged to spell

perhaps carefully arranged to spell out a word or two across the expanse of its cap

and written in pencil on the bottom is “III Grade Forest City”

I came across these in a box of old salvaged quilt squares and thought they were just too pretty--and labored over

I think he's a pretty great looking little monkey

and a fold to the bottom left corner of one on blue paper

French Neoclassical c. 1810 Charcoal Study of a Hand - One of Two fruit in bowl perhaps carefully arranged to spellI purchased this beautifully executed charcoal drawing directly from a seller in France along with one other, listed separately. Both I know were found in the Sartre region, and both done on watermarked laid paper, which date them to about 1810. I love a good hand, whether drawn or carved or otherwise, and this finely rendered one seems as if perpetually reaching forward. Really lovely. 19 3 8 x 12 7 8 and in good condition, with light scattered