Catalog (971)

A large and beautifully painted portrait miniature by Aimee Thibault. Done in watercolor on organic wafer, the work shows a distinguished older gentleman of serious mien, set against a dark background, in a black tie and jacket with a white shirt and collar. The size of the miniature is due to Thibault having worked in France for a large part of her life, where such portraits were often done on a much grander scale than miniatures in the U.S. The portrait is signed Aimee Thibault along the righ...

A portrait miniature of a good looking young gentleman, well painted in watercolors on organic wafer. This fine piece is enclosed in a bronze surround.

The sight size is 2 3/4" by 2 1/2", and the overall size is 3 1/4" by 2 3/4". The condition of the miniature and the surround is excellent, with no problems or restoration at all.

A nicely painted portrait miniature on natural organic wafer. The sitter is a gentleman dressed in a black jacket and stock, with a white shirt and vest, set against a background which shades from light blue to a darker blue hue. Housed in its original cast foliate case with a glazed rear aperture containing a circlet of hair.

The condition of the painting is excellent with no cracks, chips, paint loss, bowing, or restoration. The case is in good condition with the back of it showing wear and ...

A fine portrait miniature by William Charles Ross, executed in watercolor on natural organic material. The subject, a gentleman with receding brown hair and blue eyes, is fashionably attired in a brown jacket, white collar, black vest, shirt, and ascot, which sports a turquoise and gold stickpin. Ross' superb skill is evidenced by, among other things, the way he has limned the hair tones, the lifelike quality of the skin, eyes, and lips, the texturing of the different fabrics, and the jewel-like...

A nicely done watercolor on organic material portrait miniature, depicting a half-length view of a young woman. In a black dress with a lace-edged neckline, she has accessorized with gold drop earrings and a triple strand gold necklace.

Of interest is the backing of the painting, which shows a portion of a finely drawn ink portrait of a man's head. The miniature is in a velvet lined leather case with a brass mat and glazing, with the two halves having separated, but which could be taped back t...

A watercolor portrait, on natural wafer, of a handsome gentleman attired in a black jacket and vest with a pale pink cravat. Housed in a very heavy and well-made brass case with the reverse side being fully glazed over fabric.

The condition of the painting and the case is excellent, with no flaws. The white dots and background color variations are just due to exterior dust and light reflections. Overall size is 2 7/8" by 2 3/8".

An absolutely charming painting, done in watercolor and gouache on organic wafer, of a male toddler. A label on the reverse states "J.C. Holt/at 1 yr./1831".

Housed in its original gold case, neither the painting or the case have any condition problems at all. The size is 1 3/4" by 1 1/2".

A nicely done watercolor in natural material portrait of a young woman. Complementing the blue background, the sitter is presented with blue eye shadow and a blue ribbon and bow in her hair. The glazed reverse of the gold filled case is covered with a nice display of woven hair plaits.

Condition is excellent, with a case size of 1 7/8" by 1 5/8".

A wonderful portrait miniature of an attractive young woman, painted in watercolor and gouache on organic wafer. The sitter, set against a bluish gray background, has a tortoiseshell comb in her hair and is wearing a black dress with lace at the cuffs and at the neckline. Pearl earrings and gold chains complete her ensemble.

The painting is in excellent condition, with no flaws. The red leather travel case has wear to the inside and outside, is missing the tiny eye the hook clasp goes through,...

A naïve but appealing watercolor and gouache painting on organic wafer of a young gentleman. The background is done with great effect in blues, brown, and pink.

The 2 1/4" by 1 3/4" painting is in fine condition, with no flaws to speak of. The case is structurally sound, with a glazed aperture on the rear, but could use a good overall cleaning.

A very interesting portrait miniature of a gentleman. Done in watercolor on organic material, it shows a half length naive depiction of a man posed with his hand in his waistcoat. The overall "feel" of this work is that it was done in the en grisaille style, in spite of the color in the man's lips, his vest, and cummerbund.

Condition of the painting and simple metal frame is excellent (light areas at the edges are due to reflections off the chamfered glass), with a size of 2 1/4" by 1 3/4".

A fine pair of strongly painted miniature portraits done on natural wafer. Based on the technique and the area in which the sitters lived (Cincinnati), a strong attribution to Richard Verbrick can be made.

The woman is finely attired in a black puffy sleeved dress with lace at the collar and a wide black belt. Her jewelry includes a brooch at her neckline and earrings, with a tortoiseshell comb in her hair. The gent is wearing a black coat, white shirt, collar, and ascot.

The condition of th...

A wonderful idyllic scene of a girl gathering flowers in a hat. Near her is a lake with cows watering, while in the immediate background is another group of cows and a young girl. The far background has trees and a house. The charming naïve style, and the inclusion so many items of interest combine to make this work an exceptional piece.

Often even simple watercolors of this age have substantial condition issues, ranging from tears, stain, folds, di89scolrations, etc. The example offered here...

A wonderful portrait of an attractive young woman, done in watercolor on organic wafer. The blue-eyed, red-haired sitter is in a black gown with a gauzy white top, highlighted by a large pink bow at her bodice. The artist carefully chose the ground color and the bow to complement the subject's coloring. The frame is period and probably original, with an eglomise glass cover to the painting.

The painting is in excellent condition, with no issues. The eglomise glass and the frame have wear but a...

An early 19th c silk damask vestment with a floral and crown motif. The orphrey portion dates from the 17th century. Actually in quite good condition, with some scattered wear. 46" in length.

A nicely painted portrait of a fashionably dressed attractive young woman, done in watercolor on natural wafer. The painting and the ebonized wood frame are in fine condition. Sight size is 2 7/8" by 2 3/8", with a frame size of 5 1/4" by 4 1/2".

A nicely painted portrait of a fashionably dressed attractive young woman, done in watercolor on natural wafer. The sitter is wearing a lace-edged blue dress, tightly belted at the waist, with a gold and red brooch centered at the bodice, and a lace cap, The painting and the ebonized wood frame (which has a finely craquelured surface) are in fine condition. Sight size is 2 7/8" by 2 1/4", with a frame size of 5 1/4" by 4 1/2".

Painted in watercolor on organic material, with the sitter attired in a black coat, vest, and stock, and sporting a stickpin. In a wood frame with fragments on the back possibly indicating the artist and/or the sitter.

Very good condition with no chips, cracks, bowing, or restoration. Sight size is 2 1/4" by 1 13/16", and the framed size is 3 7/8" by 3 3/8".

A nicely painted miniature portrait, on natural wafer, of a fashionably attired gentleman. The sitter is wearing a white shirt and stock, a black coat with velvet lapels, and a gray vest with black polka dots. Presented in a period, and possibly original, ebonized frame.

No cracks, chips, restoration or other condition issues. Sight size is 2 1/2" by 1 3/4", and the frame size is 4 3/8" by 3 3/8".

A miniature painting of a lovely young woman attired in a double strand coral necklace and a blue gown with puffy sleeves and a pink flower at the waist sash. Excellent condition with no issues, and in a period black wood frame. Sight size is 3 1/2" by 2 7/8", and the framed size is 5 5/8" by 4 1/2".

NOTE: I have shown two full length photos as the background color varies somewhat depending on whether the painting is seen in natural, fluorescent, or incandescent lighting.

A Flight Barr & Barr plate with a gilded undulating rim with a central en grisaille armorial crest featuring a sheep carrying a pennant. Fully marked on the reverse with an impressed FBB mark and an additional painted mark.

Excellent condition with no issues. The second photo shows the color of the paste more accurately. 7 3/4" diameter.

A charming metal artist's trade sign mounted under glass in a fine period wood frame. Obviously done to showcase his skill, it shows a palette with brushes resting in the thumb hole along with flowers, additional flowers and a bird outside of the palette.

The sign and the frame with its original backboard are in excellent condition. Sight size 13 1/2" by 9 1/2", and a framed size of 17" by 12 1/2".

An uncommon and fantastic button featuring an interior 18th c scene painted on fabric, after an engraving by Jean-Francois Janinet from a painting by Nicolas Lavreince titled Ha, le joli petit chien". Brass surround and back. Excellent condition with no issues at all. Very large with a 1 3/4" diameter.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our collection. The buttons shown on our site represent but a small sample on what we have, so please do not hesitate ...

A wonderfully done naïve portrait of an older woman identified on the reverse as Almira Coolidge of Boston. The 3/4 length depiction shows the sitter holding a handkerchief and wearing a lace trimmed white bonnet, white lace fichu, and a red scarf over a black puff-sleeve dress with gold buttons. The background is nicely done in a striated and shaded blue-gray. Presented in a gilt metal frame.

This painting was part of the important and well-known Gregory collection offered at Sotheby's on 1/...

A nicely painted miniature painting of a blue-eyed gentleman wearing a black tie, coat and black silk vest. The artist has chosen a nice blue background, complementing the sitter's eyes.

The condition of the painting the case are excellent. The spots on the painting are bits of dust, and the lighter color black along the inner edges of the coat are intentionally painted that way. The case size is 2 3/4" by 2 3/8".

Using watercolor on organic material, Francois Theodore Rochard painted this beautiful portrait of an attractive blue-eyed young woman with brown hair done ion sausage curls. The sitter, identified on a very old label on the rear of the frame, is Clara Stevens (?) age 18. She is posed against a wall with a climbing rose bush showing through a window to her left. Attired in a puffy-sleeved lace-edged white gown with a brooch below the bodice and a wide blue belt, she is also wearing a pink and bl...

A superb transfer printed blue and white Staffordshire soup dish in the "Birds and Fruit" pattern. Unmarked but attributed to John Hall & Sons, Burslem, England. The central scene features two birds amidst a panoply of fruit, including pears, strawberries, blackberries, grapes, etc. The cavetto and wide rim has a border of flowers and foliage.

The color of this dish is a deep, clear blue, with no blurriness, and with the desired ripple glaze. Condition is excellent, with no cracks, resto...

A fine transfer printed dark blue and white Staffordshire plate in the "Birds and Fruit" pattern. Attributed to John Hall & Sons, Burslem, England.

The central scene features two birds amidst a panoply of fruit, including pears, strawberries, blackberries, grapes, etc. The cavetto and wide rim has a border of flowers and foliage.

The color of this platter is a deep, clear blue, with no blurriness, and with the desired ripple glaze. Condition is excellent, with no cracks, restoration, ...

Black enamel on gold with central hair plait. Lettered on the front with "Memori" and initials. The reverse is engraved "Sarah Jackson Obt 20th Dec 1828 Aged 32 Also of Margaret Jackson Obt 8th Feb 1841 Aged 32".

Excellent condition, with a length of 1 11/16" and a width of 1 1/2".

A finely limned miniature painting done in watercolor on natural material. The sitter is a hazel-eyed young man dressed in a black coat and tie. The condition of the painting is excellent, with no issues. The bluish area on the left side was painted in that fashion.

The bronze frame is also in fine shape, originally made to be worn as a pendant or as a brooch, but is missing the brooch pin on the reverse. Sight size is 2 1/4" by 1 7/8", and the overall size is 2 5/8" by 2 1/4".

A fine miniature portrait, watercolor on organic wafer, of a blue-eyed gentleman.

Excellent condition with no issues. Sight size is 2 1/4" by 1 7/8", with the period frame being 4 1/4" by 3 3/4".

A striking portrait miniature, on natural wafer, done by Geibel (signed along left side). Thus far we have not been able to find the artist listed in any of the main directories. The sitter is shown wearing a white stock, waistcoat, and a royal blue jacket.

The condition of the painting is excellent, with no problems at all. Please note that the darker area on the right part of the jacket is due to the difficulty of photographing the painting. In fact, because of the angle of the glass the p...

A beautiful Flight, Barr and Barr Worcester plate from the desirable "Harlequin" service. The decoration features an exotic bird painted by Henry Stinton in a central reserve which is surrounded by a white field edged with gilded rococo scrollwork extending into the cavetto. The wide rim of the plate is in a pale blue decorated with multicolored butterflies and insects.

The reverse of the plate has the elaborate red mark which was used specifically during the 1813 to 1819 period.

The plat...

A nicely rendered painting of a satyr and nymphs, a classical mythological motif, done in watercolor on natural wafer.

In overall very good condition with some minor paint loss at the very edge at the top left of the work. There is a very tight line on the center far right that does not affect any of the figures. The white area at the center bottom is due to light reflection and is not present when viewing in person. The original mahogany frame is in excellent condition, with a diameter of 4 1...

A beautiful Flight Barr and Barr large sauce tureen from the Harlequin service. Two sides of the tureen have an exotic bird painted, by Henry Stinton, in a central reserve which is surrounded by a white field edged with gilded rococo scrollwork. The remainder of the body is a sky blue decorated with insects. The lid of this piece has a gold pineapple finial while the body has a gadrooned rim and handles, all in gold.

This wonderful example is in excellent condition, without cracks, paint or g...

A portrait miniature beautifully painted on organic material. The sitter, M. Roland, is an attractive woman with flowing black hair, a white fichu over a white dress decorated with blue flowers, A wide pink sash completes her attire. This piece was based on the full length portrait of M. Roland done by Jules-Adolphe Goupil, titled "Le dernier Jour de Madame Roland" and shown in the third photo.

The painting is in excellent condition with no flaws or restoration. The diameter is 2 11/16" sight...

A fine set of 4 watercolor schoolgirl paintings executed with a very high degree of artistry, probably originally done as bookplates. They have been mounted in pairs in attractive figured maple frames. The first frame has the paintings shown in the 2nd and 3rd photos and the 2nd frame has the paintings shown in the 4th and 5th photos.

The paintings and frames are in excellent condition, with the first frame, shown in the top left of the first photo, measuring 12 5/8" by 10 3/4". The second fr...

A fine watercolor on card portrait done by Paul Gomien. The sitter is a woman wearing a puffy sleeved gray-blue dress with a lace collar. Her accessories include a black belt and a gold necklace.

In addition to being signed "Gomien" and dated "1822" along the center right edge the reverse has a trade card reading "P. Gomien/Peintre, Rue St. Honore No 247 pres le Palais Royal". For the period and location this is quite rare. The framing attests to the expense of the piece at the time it was pai...

A beautiful Spode porcelain plate painted with a variety of motifs. The pattern number is not listed in any of the Spode pattern books, nor have I been able to find examples of the decoration. A reasonable assumption might be that this was produced as a "one-off" sample for a larger service that was not completed.

The decoration on the plate includes an exotic bird, shells and feathers, and fruits, an interesting combination to say the least. An abundance of gilding and a border with feather-...

A beautiful example of the Coalport factory "Rock and Tree" pattern, done in the Imari palette, derived from the Japanese. This pattern was highly favored by George, the Prince of Wales and the Prince Regent, and was used and still displayed at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

The dish, or soup bowl, is in superb condition, with no flaws and with factory-fresh looking painting and gilding. The diameter is 9 1/2".

Note: Two photos of the front are shown to show both halves without reflect...

A Scottish wood travelling tobacco or pipe box, wonderfully and fulsomely decorated with penwork. The scene on the top shows two older men arguing or bargaining, in front of what appear to be farm buildings. Under this is "And test Me nhow auld boy" followed by the initials HC. The sides and bottom of the box are decorated with finely drawn rows of leaves. The interior of the box is a gray sandpaper like material, with a stump in the center to tap out the dottle after a pipe has been smoked.

...

A very fine and rare Bow porcelain chocolate cup with the "Golfer and Caddy" pattern. The cup of tall "U" Shape with a strap handle. The interior with a wavy border, the handle with a flowering plant, and the base with a "2" workman's mark.

The overall condition is excellent, with only an invisibly done museum quality repair to a small interior rim flake. This wonderful example looks much better in person than the photos show. Cup height is 2 7/8" with a 2 3/4" diameter.

A nicely painted waist length portrait, done on organic material, of an attractive woman with dark brown eyes and hair. The sitter, posed in front of a reddish-brown drape, is wearing a black gown with a lace collar cinched with a brooch matching her earrings. A gold chain with two pendants completes her outfit. Presented in a later gilt frame.

The painting is in excellent condition with no issues. The sight size is 2 1/2" by 2" and the framed size is 5 1/2" by 4 1/2".

Two paintings are offered here for the price of one! The first done in India ink on prepared cardboard, this finely limned profile shows a man facing left with his right hand tucked into his jacket. It is presented in a gilded, stamped sheet metal frame.

The condition is quite good with several unimportant white streaks, mainly in the jacket. The sight size is 3 1/2" by 2", with an overall size of 5 1/4" by 4".

The second piece is a watercolor and ink on cardboard of a young man n...

A miniature portrait, done in watercolor and gouache on organic wafer, of a young man, well portrayed by the artist to capture his power and possible arrogance. The hazel-eyed sitter is shown in a casual pose, wearing a dark jacket and white ascot.

The condition is excellent, with no cracks, bowing, or paint loss. Presented in a cast bronze frame without glazing the sight size is 2 1/8" by 1 5/8", with an overall size of 4 1/2" by 3".

An incredibly charming portrait miniature brooch of a young child, painted on natural material. The subject is beautiful, wearing a coral necklace and a pale lavender gown, and with brown eyes that were so finely and realistically painted with such depth that it is almost hard to believe when seeing this gem in person.

The condition is excellent, with no issues, and the overall size is 1 3/8" by 1".

A truly lovely and engaging portrait miniature, on natural wafer, of a beautiful young woman. The subject, attired in a green velvet dress with a black cape and a white fichu, is seated in front of an orange drapery with a view of a landscape. The framing of this gem is of fine construction, with an inner gold plated frame that is easily removable (and replaced) if a smaller overall size is desired. Both frames are in very fine order.

The condition of the painting is excellent, with bright col...

Nicely painted on organic wafer, this miniature portrait is of a handsome gentleman set against a bluish-gray background. Housed in a low karat gilded cast foliate pendant case with an empty glazed aperture verso. The miniature is in a specially made leather case that opens and props open to allow the miniature to be displayed or removed.

The condition of the miniature and case are excellent, with no issues to speak of. The white areas along the top edge and at the lower left are due to re...

A wonderful example of a creamware dish made by Sewell and Donkin of Newcastle (St. Anthony's until 1819). The painted central scene shows a dying patient receiving his unction above the motto "T Oliesel" (Last Rites), and is surrounded with a colorful floral border. The reverse of the dish has the partial impressed manufacturer's name.

The condition of this 10" diameter piece is excellent, with good color, no cracks, chips, or restoration. Normal very faint, non-intrusive and expected cra...

A signed Hyacinthe Mercier miniature portrait, painted on natural wafer. The beautifully rendered sitter is a pleasant looking woman wearing a lace bonnet with lavender and light blue bows, and a dark blue robe or gown. "Mercier 1824" in script along the right side.

The painting is in excellent condition, with some rough edges which do not show while the piece is in its period bronze frame. Sight size is 2 3/8" by 1 7/8", with a frame size of 2 3/4" by 2 1/4".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Mlle Hy...

A c 1840 signed portrait miniature by Gabriel Aristede Passot, done on natural material. As is usual with his work, it is superbly painted, and is of a gentleman in a black coat with a multi-colored merit award ribbon.

The miniature is in fine condition, with no chips, cracks, paint loss, or bowing. A light area along the top edge is due to light reflection. The case, of high quality silver with a royal crown and a mother-of-pearl reverse, is in excellent condition. Sight size is 1 5/8" by...

A well painted c1800 - 1812 miniature of a British officer. The sitter is wearing the uniform of a major general, with a red tunic, blue lapels and collar, and gold epaulettes and buttons. The miniature is signed lower left, with a somewhat indecipherable calligraphic monogram of "RM"?. Presented in a gilt metal frame with a bevelled blue glass back. Excellent condition, with an overall size of 2 1/2" by 2"

Nothing less than superb would describe the quality of this c1835 American portrait miniature. The artist, as yet to be identified, even went so far as to show the shadow cast on the cheeks of the sitter by the lower rims of the glasses. The sight size is 2 7/8" by 2", with the size of the modern black painted wood frame being 5 1/2" by 5".

An uncommon c1840 miniature by Richard Morrell Staigg, signed lower right. The sitter is a blue-eyed young woman, simply posed in a black dress with lace edging at the bodice. Presented in 1/2 of a dag case. The sight size is 3" by 2 1/4".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Richard Morrell Staig was born in England in 1817 and moved to the U.S. in 1831, first settling in Newport, RI. While there, Staigg studied under Jane Stuart, Gilbert Stuart's daughter. He then moved to Boston where he maintained a stu...

A striking American rendering of a handsome gentleman, nattily attired in a black jacket and tie, and with a patterned vibrant blue vest. In a 2 3/4" by 2 1/4" gilt metal cast foliate frame with a glazed aperture on the reverse.

A portrait miniature of a young and handsome man unabashedly directly facing the viewer. He is dressed in the height of fashion, wearing a black jacket, light orange cravat (which nicely matches his hair), and a white vest. Presented in a gilt cast foliate case, the reverse of which features a glazed tightly woven field of plaited hair.

Because of the convex glass, the photos unfortunately show reflections, white streaks, dots, and shadows, none of which are in the miniature. The overall...

A rare and signed portrait miniature by Charles Byrne. Done in an almost impressionistic style, the sitter is a blue-eyed woman simply presented in a white gown with fur trimming along the top edge. She is posed against a gauzy white background with blue tints to complement her eyes.

The miniature has a sight size of 2 1/2" by 2" and is in excellent condition. The backing paper of the painting has the following artist and sitter identifications: "Painted by / Ch Byrne / 1801 / Mary Lambor...

A well executed miniature of an English gent. The reverse of the painting identifies the sitter as Thomas Sheppard, painted by W. Bate in 1802. Presented in an unusual gold painted frame with the miniature displayed in the diagonal direction. The condition of the miniature is excellent, with the inside rim of the frame having a "ding" at around 2:00 o'clock. Sight size is 2 7/8" by 2 3/8" with an overall size of 4 1/2" by 4 1/2".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: There is not much known about William B...

A striking and colorful R. Mills miniature portrait of a blue-eyed blonde woman. The subject is wearing a white gown with lace edging and balloon sleeves, a blue necklace and sash belt. Those colors nicely complement the carefully chosen background, which is blue with pink tinges, which also complements her ruddy or over-rouged cheeks.

The painting is signed on the backing paper "Painted by Rd Mills Birmingham 1829" and is housed in a 4 1/4" by 3 5/8" bronze frame. The painting itself mea...

A striking miniature portrait by Johann Christian Schoeller. The sitter is a girl child, dressed in purple, with a basket of flowers on her lap and posed in front of a window showing a landscape. Charming and colorful, this is an fine example of Schoeller's work. Presented in a period bronze frame, with an overall size of 3" by 2". The reverse has a label and a backing paper with the artist's name. Excellent condition.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Schoeller (1752 - 1851) was born in Alsace, traine...