Nall Appraisal

Nall (Fred Nall Hollis) Mixed Media Bas-Relief Plaque

This is an intricate, rectangular mixed media bas-relief artwork by the American artist Fred Nall Hollis, known professionally as Nall. The piece features a complex, horizontal multi-tiered composition characteristic of the artist's Byzantine-influenced style. The construction appears to involve carved wood or molded resin, which has been heavily embellished with polychrome pigments and gold leaf gilding. The color palette is rich, utilizing vibrant blues, violets, and teals that peek through the distressed gold surface. Notable features include numerous incised and raised letters of the alphabet scattered throughout the composition, along with geometric shapes and architectural motifs like arches. The surface exhibits intentional distressing to mimic an ancient excavated artifact, with a heavy patina that adds to its 'archaic' aesthetic. The quality of craftsmanship is high, showing a sophisticated use of texture and surface layering. The item is professionally housed in a shadow-box frame featuring a light-colored linen mat and a stepped profile with gold accents, which protects the depth of the bas-relief elements. This style is consistent with the artist's late 20th to early 21st-century production, characterized by a synthesis of classical and contemporary symbolism. While no signature is immediately visible on the face, such works are typically signed on the reverse or integrated into the lower margins.