Bisby Finley

Finley, William Bisby

American, born 1913

Explore selected works

The image shows a bottle with the text "J.CAIRN'S" on its front, positioned upright and centered on an off-white background. The bottle has a translucent quality with shades of blue and hints of green.
Bisby Finley, Glass Soda Bottle, c. 1940, watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.10581

Glass Soda Bottle

Bisby Finley · c. 1940 · watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.10581

This is a painting of a large brown ceramic jug with a handle. The jug is a reddish-brown color, and the handle is angled towards the right. The depiction of the jug is at the center of the painting against cream-colored paper.
Bisby Finley, Pottery Pitcher, 1939, watercolor and colored pencil on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.6062

Pottery Pitcher

Bisby Finley · 1939 · watercolor and colored pencil on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.6062

The image shows a large ceramic jug with a single handle on its upper side. The jug is colored in earthy brown shades with a slightly glossy finish. There is a decorative element resembling a sketch near the upper part of its body. The jug is positioned centrally against an off-white background.
Bisby Finley, Jug, 1939, watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.7022

Jug

Bisby Finley · 1939 · watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.7022

The image shows a large, brown ceramic pot with a smooth surface and two small symmetrical handles on either side. The color palette consists mainly of shades of brown, with speckles of lighter tones giving the pot a textured appearance. Positioned centrally in the image, the pot stands upright and occupies most of the visual space against a plain, off-white background.
Bisby Finley, Pottery Jar, c. 1939, watercolor and colored pencil on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.6066

Pottery Jar

Bisby Finley · c. 1939 · watercolor and colored pencil on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.6066

The image shows a large woven basket with a handle, intricately woven in a brown natural fiber color. The basket is centrally positioned with a neutral light background.
Bisby Finley, Wicker Basket, c. 1939, watercolor and graphite on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.8605

Wicker Basket

Bisby Finley · c. 1939 · watercolor and graphite on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.8605

The image shows a large, brown earthenware jug with a unique coiled design wrapping around its body and a handle. The color palette features various shades of brown, with a slightly glossy texture indicating glaze. Positioned in the center of the image on a plain background, the jug has intricate details visible on the surface, such as the textures and engraved markings. Below the jug, there is a detailed sketch labeled "California Mo.," indicating the base's detail, alongside the text "BISBY FINLEY" to the right.
Bisby Finley, Pottery Jug, c. 1938, watercolor, colored pencil, graphite, and pen and ink on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.6064

Pottery Jug

Bisby Finley · c. 1938 · watercolor, colored pencil, graphite, and pen and ink on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.6064

The image shows a copper pan with a long handle and three curved legs. The pan's exterior is copper-colored, while the interior is silver or gray. The handle extends to the right, with one leg visible at the front and the others supporting the pan from below at slight angles.
Bisby Finley, Bishop Hill: Copper Skillet, c. 1938, watercolor and graphite on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.8734

Bishop Hill: Copper Skillet

Bisby Finley · c. 1938 · watercolor and graphite on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.8734

The sculpture depicts a figure of a woman wearing a vibrant outfit adorned with feathers. The sculpture is made of wood and features earthy tones. The woman is dressed in a short dress, with accents of orange and yellow, and she holds an object resembling a rolled scroll or tobacco in one hand, while the other hand rests over her body cradling a rose and leaves. The headdress she wears is highlighted by colorful feathers. Her facial features and stance are characteristically vertical and frontal, contributing to a dignified appearance. The sculpture is depicted standing on a simple base.
Bisby Finley, Cigar Store Indian, c. 1936, watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paperboard, Index of American Design, 1943.8.9991

Cigar Store Indian

Bisby Finley · c. 1936 · watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paperboard ·  Accession ID  1943.8.9991