Catalog (971)

A fine example of early American folk art. Generally classed as fraktur type, paintings such as these were done by children, and were often, as this one was, painted on a page from a ledger or notebook. This particular piece is a charming depiction of an eagle, and is housed in a period frame with good surface.

The painting is in very good condition, with good color, and no tears or creases. It does have some very common spots of discoloration which might well have been there since the paint...

It is unusual to find such a striking multi-colored basket of such size and in such wonderful condition. The splint basket, with its wooden handle, is from the Northeast area of the United States, and is done in shades of blue-green, orange-red, and brown.

The basket is 18" long, 12" wide, and 14 " to the top of the handle. Overall condition is excellent, with only one splint split on the interior, not visible from the outside.

A fantastic display or collection piece.

This is a superb, early, and rare Chinese libation cup. The paste itself appears to date from around 1735, while the decoration is most likely from around 1775.

The outside has applied polychrome lotus roots and flowers. Surrounding these are delightful vignettes of houses and boats with fishermen, the whole being further decorated with insects and birds. The interior has two large butterflies, or moths, and flowers. The base is gilded and molded to also resemble a lotus root.

The oval cup ...

An exceedingly fine example of a miniature brass cannon, probably English, with a fine patina and superb condition having only the usual nicks due to age. The cannon is 10 inches long, 3 1/4 inches wide, and 3 1/4 inches high.

A wonderfully detailed portrait miniature, on organic material, of a woman of substantial means, bearing, and physique. She is posed by a console table, and elegantly attired and bedecked with jewelry and an elaborate dress.

The portrait is signed on the lower right by Reinhold Krauss, a known artist listed in Thieme-Becker's "Artists of the World". Excellent condition with no issues.

Housed in a period wooden frame, the sight size is 4" by 2 7/8" and the framed size is 7 1/2" by 5 ...

A beautiful English creamware plate decorated with violet swags with green trim along the rim of the plate and the edges of the swags. Aside from being of unusual structure, the violet color is rare, and the presence of a second color extremely rare.

This type ware is often mistakenly referred to as Leeds and featheredge. In reality, many factories other than Leeds made items of this nature, and the type edge here is more properly called a molded edge.

The condition of the plate is excell...

A watercolor on organic natural wafer of a somewhat older woman wearing a blue jacket with fur edging, a pearl choker, and a rust colored cap with lace. The unusual characteristics of the piece are the hand decorated paper surround and that the painting is in a frame that slides into a close fitting leather case.

The condition of the painting is excellent, with no issues, while the case has exterior wear but is structurally sound. Sight size is 2: by 1 5/8", and the case is 2 7/8" by 2 1/8"

A striking engraved and flashed beaker depicting a woman on a plinth in a classical Roman robe, holding laurel wreaths, with classical buildings and an eagle on a column Underneath this is engraved in German: "Those who put forth the effort will receive the prizes." The flashed lower part of the beaker features cut semi-roundels and other cutting above a scalloped base with a cross-hatched cut bottom.

Condition is excellent except for some relatively minor chips on the base underside. 5 3/4" ...

This is a charming example of a Champion's Bristol coffee cup, of fluted form, decorated with swags of flowers and leaves. Marked on the bottom with a blue "X" and "17" painter's number. Certainly the marks add to the value of this as opposed to it being just an attributed example.

Excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or restoration. Bright colors with no losses. A not uncommon 1/4" glaze separation in the bowl interior, shown in the fifth picture at around 7 o'clock, and a minute flea...

A very interesting and charming 1" enameled button showing a young woman with a basket of flowers looking at a butterfly that is about to alight on her hand. The scene is surrounded by an inner brass border. Between that border and the outer one are enameled sections with flowers. The condition is excellent with no problems.

In referring to certain types of pottery, "Leeds" and "featheredge" are both common misnomers. People think of certain types of Staffordshire pottery as being Leeds while in actuality only a small portion was made by that factory.

Further, to be completely accurate, this platter is really what is known as "shell-edge", as opposed to featheredge. It is pearlware, made around 1810, and is an extremely large 17 3/4" by 13 1/4" in size. Wares of this type were often made in blue, and, much ...

A nice Chamberlain Worcester porcelain dish of gadrooned and gilded edge form, the ground color in a deep apple green, and the center featuring a bouquet of various flowers. Marked on the reverse with "Chamberlain Worcester" in red.

The overall length is 13 1/2" with a width of 9 1/2". Condition is excellent, with no chips, cracks, or restoration. As is not uncommon in this period, there is overall faint craquelure.

A beautifully executed flashed and engraved covered goblet depicting scenes from the Teplitz and other resorts. The goblet has 6 panels, one of which has the location and date, another with initials, and 4 showing, in wonderful detail, various buildings with their names. The color of the flashing is a deep rich red, which I lightened so that the details could more easily be seen.

The foot has a chip and some loss, shown in two of the photos,and there is a chip on the underside rim of the cover...

An antique drinking glass with exceptional engraving of three tulips on the bell bowl. The stem features an inverted baluster knop with trapped air tear. Dutch soda metal. Height 5 3/4 inches, bowl diameter 2 1/4 inches, folded foot diameter 2 3/4 inches.

As mentioned for other similar items on the site, this type ware is often mistakenly referred to as Leeds and featheredge. In reality, many factories other than Leeds made items of this nature, and the type edge here is more properly called a molded edge. This particular plate was made by Riley, and is indicated as such with an impressed mark on the back. Being able to identify the maker does increase the value to some extent. Also, green-edged wares are considerably less common than blue.

Thi...

A nicely executed Dutch double series opaque twist drinking glass, made of soda metal, with elegant form. A bell bowl with a stem with a pair of solid multi-ply spiral bands outside of two heavy spiral threads. 6 1/2 inches tall, with a bowl diameter of 2 1/2 inches and a foot diameter of 2 15/16 inches.

A fine little dish in what is often called Leeds feather edge. Accurately speaking, this is not a true Leeds feather edge piece, but is an English pearlware pickle leaf dish with blue edge decoration. The terms Leeds and feather edge are, unfortunately, generally misused to describe any piece of pottery with a decorated edge. What can be said about this piece is that it is of a beautiful form, with a delicate tracery of veins in its naturalistic modeling, and, contrary to virtually all dish...

A beautiful and pristine Dr. Wall First Period Worcester hexagonal creamboat with a flared rim, a double scroll handle and the lip moulded with a geranium leaf. This wonderful piece, of highly desirable form, is painted in bright colours of green, iron-red, fuchsia, purple, blue, and yellow, and features two bouquets of flowers within scroll moulded cartouches, amongst scattered blooms. The front and the interior are also lavishly decorated with further sprays. The bottom has a label from Manhe...

Panelled and diaper molded border picked out in blue and green, handpainted and signed "P. Vissier", and dated 1769. The plate has two labels, one from the Newman collection, and the other from the Harriet Carlton Goldweitz collection, considered one of the finest English pottery collections of the last 25 years. 9 5/8 inches in diameter, superb condition with deep, vibrant color, and no chips, cracks, or restoration.

This is a superb example of the hooked rug pattern generally attributed to E.S. Frost & Company. Although Frost did have a lion pattern, it was substantially different and less complex than the Lion and Palm pattern designed by Ebenezer Ross, which is the one offered here. This particular rug is also done in a beautiful and uncommon combination of colors. Notice the striped motif along the bottom, mirroring a tiger or zebra pattern.

It measures approximately 61 1/2 inches by 33 inches, and i...

This is a wonderful pair of Derby putti disguised as flower sellers, dating from the 1770 period. The figures are mirror images of each other, as true pairs should be. Each putti has a basket of flowers over one arm, while a single flower is held in the hand of the other arm. The height is 5 1/2", considerably larger than the usual putti. The bottoms display the patch marks typical of Derby during this period of manufacture.

The colors, which are bright, vibrant, unscratched and not at a...

From Lancaster, PA.; each with the birth date and age of the sitter; strong attribution to Jacob Eichholtz based on style and area found; sight size 14" by 10"

A beautiful cordial glass with an ogee bowl engraved with stylized flowers and foliage; rare helmet (high dome) foot; DSOT stem; 6.7" tall

Two sided pine game board with strong graphics and vibrant colors, displaying an unusual variant of the common structure of parcheesi. A checkers board is on the reverse side.

All original paint, original metal corners, overall excellent condition with a minor scratch on one side, and a wood chip in the top right on the reverse side. 23" by 23"

A fine oil on board of Isaac Henderson, attributed to Giddings Hyde Ballou. Ballou was a highly regarded itinerant painter, born in CT, who did a good portion of his work in the Cape Cod area. Documentation relating to his work is provided with this painting.

Sight size 15" by 12"

Exceptional in so many ways, including its age, its baluster form, its height of 8 1/4", and its beautiful deep cobalt blue color

A walnut bracket and shelf intricately carved with a panoply of Masonic symbols. The shelf portion itself folds flat against the back bracket, and is supported by a swing-out brace.

Pencilled writing on the back of this item says that it was purchased in 1938 and was believed to be over 100 years old then, which is probably about 25 years on the optimistic side. The shelf has been shellaced or varnished; 19" high, 10 1/2" wide, 6" deep.

Gilt Chinoserie decoration on a deep blue ground; 2 5/8" tall by 2 5/8" diameter; very, very minimal gilt rubbing in a few spots at the bottom, of much less import than the photos indicate

A true set of beautiful Irish wine rinsers or washers with comb fluting in an extremely uncommon oval shape, comb-fluted; bearing the label of DM & P Manheim, an old time, well-known and respected New York City dealer. 3 1/2" tall, 4 1/2" diameter

A wonderful PA or New England document box inlaid with various woods and elaborately painted with stars, squares, circles, etc. All original, including surface; truly minor nicks and wear; 12" by 7" by 4 1/4".

This actual box is illustrated in the book "19th Century Wooden Boxes", by Arene Burgess

A pale vaseline glass miniature or crocus vase on a stemmed base; 4 1/2" tall

A wine rinser, or washer, in a deep Bristol green color; unusual in that it is the single-lipped form as opposed to the normal type with two lips; 3 1/2" tall, 4 1/2" diameter

A large (15 1/4" by 12") blue and white Staffordshire platter in the "Lakes of Killarney" pattern, maker unknown; beautifully bright and crisp (what appears to be a darkness on the platter in the photo is due to a lighting problem)

An exceptional American gameboard with a red wash and black painted decoration; compartments at each end for the game pieces; construction is pine with breadboarded ends and wrought nails; condition is excellent with all original surface; one small portion of a breadboarded end has been replaced at some point long ago; 30" by 17 3/4"

Boards of this type (non 8 x 8 squares) are often commonly and mistakenly called checkerboards. In reality, they are boards for the game of "draughts", which evol...

A charming scene showing classical ruins; great detail and contrast in the sky; great period frame; sight size 20 1/4" by 14 7/8", framed size 26 1/2" by 21"

A tall and beautifully proportioned Newcastle baluster, but not a Newcastle Light Baluster, as this glass dates about 15 years before the NLB were widely available; stem with well developed shoulder, central, and basal knops; pointed round funnel bowl with engraved foliate band with two birds; 8.3" height, 3.3" bowl diameter, 3.6" foot diameter

A multiple spiral air twist (MSAT) glass with an uncommon waisted bucket bowl and a shoulder knop; 6.3" tall, 2.6" foot diameter, 2.4" bowl diameter

A single series air twist (SSAT) stem, much less common than the normal multiple spiral air twist (MSAT); a pleasing glass with a trumpet bowl; 7" tall, 3.3" diameter foot, 3.1" diameter bowl

An extremely fine set of 6 antique wine glasses, double series opaque twist (DSOT). Rare because of the triple knop and the fact that it is a true set of 6. Round funnel bowls. 6 3/8 inches tall, 2 7/8 inch diameter foot, 2 5/8 inch diameter bowl

A reverse painted tinsel painting, unusual for its combination of geometric and floral elements, and for its forceful colors; period gilded frame; sight size 9 1/2" by 7 1/2"; framed size 12 1/2" by 10 5/8"

One of the largest and best tinsel paintings we have seen, depicting a large urn of various flowers, with other blooms scattered about; original frame; 28" by 24"

Most tinsel paintings have suffered a fair amount of paint lifting or loss, whereas this example only has a few spots of very minor age loss in a couple of small areas in the white background, making the overall condition excellent

This is a small and charming child's gameboard, measuring 13 3/4" long by 10 3/4" wide by 3/4" thick. It was found in Vermont, and most likely originated there. It is made of maple, with bread-boarded ends, affixed with square nails. The dry paint surface, with its red and black checkerboard, outlined with green stripes, is in superb condition, with no overpainting or areas of loss. The wood itself is in excellent shape, with 2 minor age cracks, and a knothole in the back which fell out. The b...

This stunning twill silk scarf is titled "Brise de Charme." The noted artist and designer, Julia Abadie, did the graphics work for this, which was made in 1985. To my knowledge, it has never been re-issued.

With a background of a beautiful blue, it depicts, in marvelous detail and a rainbow of colors, a panoply of handpainted 18th and 19th century fans. As it should be, it is 90 cm square (35.4"), with handrolled stitched edges.

The scarf has never been used, and was only unfolded o...

From the latter half of the 19th century, this beautifully proportioned iron vane graced the spire of the United Baptist Church in Ellsworth, Maine. In 1933, a major fire swept through the town, burning many of the buildings, including the church. When the church was finally rebuilt, the council wanted a more modern look, and stored the vane in the basement, where it remained for the next 70 years or so. A picture of the vane on top of the church is shown below.

The design of the vane is f...

This charming tea bowl is decorated with a Chinoiserie scene with three figures, one of them holding a bird. It dates from around 1775, and exemplifies the motifs that were so popular in that period. The interior has an iron-red border and sprig at the bottom of the bowl.

The bowl is 3 1/8" in diameter and 1 3/4" high. Condition is excellent, with no chips, cracks, restorations, etc. There is some speckling, which is not at all uncommon, and the green in the robe of one of the figures fire...

A large and truly magnificent glass from the South Germany area; an elongated round funnel bowl sits atop a stem with a central inverted baluster knop surrounded by 2 5-tier sets of merises; 2 other baluster knops and merise sets; a wide central band of elaborate foliate engraving surmounted by a band of engraved drapery devices and a series of arches below; the border of the foot is also engraved; 8 3/4" tall, 3 1/4" diameter bowl, 3 7/8" foot diameter

A beautiful covered Bohemian goblet, with blue enameling, cutting, and engraved with roses and foliage, a true exhibition of decorative exuberance; 7 1/2" tall with cover, 5 5/8" tall without cover, 2 5/8" diameter bowl, 2 5/8" diameter foot

A striking example of a Bohemian Rococo Revival baluster goblet, with a high domed foot. The entire glass is engraved, with foliage, German writing, a crown, and the date "1876" on the bowl, foliage and writing on the foot, and foliage even on the knop. A true tour de force of decorative skill; 8 1/4" tall, 3 1/8" diameter bowl, 3 3/8" diameter foot

Wine rinsers or wine washers were used to cool or rinse wine glasses between courses of meals. At formal meals of this type, beer or ale would not be served. Therefore, the engraving of hops and barley on this rinser is very unusual and a bit inexplicable, as this type engraving was specifically used on ale glasses. The rinser is 3 1/2" tall and 4' in diameter.

A simple but special early wine glass from Northern England; the hollow stem makes this unusual; soda metal because of the glass taxes; funnel bowl, folded foot; 5 1/4" tall, 2 3/8" bowl diameter, 2 5/8" foot diameter

An extremely generously proportioned wine goblet , the stem with a double series opaque twist (DSOT) and the bucket bowl engraved with a sunflower and leaf spray, the reverse with a bird. The sunflower has been loosely associated as a Jacobite symbol; 7 3/4" tall, 3 3/8" bowl diameter, 3 1/2" foot diameter

This beautiful purse, with a single large figure, measures 8 1/4" wide, and 9 3/4" long, plus another 2" for the wonderful 4 color twisted loop fringe.

It features a gentleman in colonial garb, holding a tri-corn hat in one hand and a staff in the other. He is standing on a path which leads to a cottage, surrounded by trees, and highlighted by a red roof, in the background. The setting is evening, with a deep royal blue sky dotted with stars The tiny beads used in this purse range in colo...

A fine oil on canvas portrait of a young woman in a brown dress and blue lace trimmed hat, with a column and red drape behind her. Stylistically, this would be from the Philadelphia School. Sight size is 30" by 24 1/2" and the overall size is 35 1/4" by 30". The portrait is in its original gilded frame, which is in very fine shape, with the normal minor nicks. The stretcher also appears to be original. Overall, the painting is in excellent condition, but has has been relined, and has a small ...

An excellent example of a firing glass, or firing dram, with a single series opaque twist (SSOT) stem and a drawn trumpet bowl; 4 1/2" tall, 2 1/8" diameter bowl, 2 1/4" diameter foot

Note: Single series opaque twist stems are less common than double series opaque twist stems (DSOT).

A beautiful antique wine glass with a bell bowl above a double series opaque twist stem (DSOT) with collar, medial, and basal knops. Knops on opaque twists are much less common than straight stem opaque twists, and the more knops, the rarer. 5.9" tall, 2 5/8" diameter bowl, 2 11/16 diameter foot

An uncommon English lead balustroid wine glass made for export; the conical bowl, with "beech nut" moulding, sits atop a rib twisted stem which has a bisected (or split) shoulder knop, and a basal knop; 5.75" tall, 2.25" diameter bowl, 2.8" diameter folded foot; rough pontil

A beautiful Bohemian wine glass with panelled sides, a bowl wonderfully engraved with a woman seated in a garden, a facet cut stem, and elongated rondels cut into the folded foot; 5 7/8" tall, 2 1/2" diameter bowl, 2 7/8" diameter foot

A beautiful pair of old Sheffield candlesticks with original removable bobeches. What makes these so rare and superb are the period old Sheffield silver peg lamps with their original burners.

Peg lamps themselves are not uncommon, but they are inevitably in pewter, glass, or brass. The only other Sheffield pair I have seen was is a book on early lighting, described as highly unusual and rare; 12" tall

A superb and graceful example of First Period Dr. Wall Worcester porcelain. The patterns on it are "La Peche" and "La Promenade Chinoise," both of which were done by Robert Hancock. Although Caughley did a very similar variation, this piece was definitely made by Worcester.

The slightly flared tankard is 4 5/8" tall, with a top diameter of 3" and a base diameter of 3 1/4". Looking fresh from the factory, it has no chips, cracks, glaze or paint loss, or restorations. The base has the hatche...

A stunning 18th century English champagne or sweetmeat glass having a double ogee bowl with an everted lip above a single merise. The 8 sided Silesian (molded) stem surmounts a basal collar above a domed foot. A superb and flawless example.

6 1/2" tall; 3 3/4" bowl diameter; 3 5/8" foot diameter