Catalog (971)

A beautiful English wine glass with a bell bowl. The stem contains a multiple-spiral air twist (MSAT) extending into the solid base of the bowl. What makes this a truly special glass is the applied medial vermicular collar. The foot is conical with a rough, snapped pontil.

The condition is excellent, with no chips, cracks, blooming, or restoration. The marks and discolorations shown in the pictures are due to dust, reflected light, or photographic artifacts. Fine color, striations, and tool ma...

A beautiful pair of Georgian multiple spiral air twist drinking glasses. The drawn trumpet bowls are finely engraved with a grape vine, leaves, and bunches of grapes. Conical feet with rough, snapped pontils.

Condition is excellent, with no chips, scratches, or restoration. The glasses stand perfectly straight, although it does not seem so in the photograph of the two of them together. Good color, striations, and tooling marks. Standing tall at 6 3/4", of hefty weight, and with bowl diameters ...

An 18th c French yellow silk underdress front, beautifully and heavily embroidered with metallic threads. The overall size is 27 1/2" by 19". The condition is good, with some scattered wear and pulls. It could highly benefit from a careful pressing.

An elegant lead metal wine glass of balustroid type, having a round funnel bowl over a shoulder angular knop over a straight stem with an extended tear and basal knop. High conical folded foot. A well-fashioned and tall example of this form.

Overall excellent condition, with no restoration or cracks. Wonderful color, striations, and tooling marks. There is a small potstone inclusion near the rim (showing as the white spot in the main photo), and an in-the-making sliver slice under the foot, ju...

An antique Georgian balustroid drinking glass featuring a bell bowl over a shoulder annulated knop. Further, there is medial teared inverted baluster knop and a basal knop. The foot is domed and folded with a rough snapped pontil.

No condition issues and standing 5 3/8" tall, with a bowl diameter of 2" and a foot diameter of 2 1/4".

A large drawn trumpet bowl leads to a double series opaque twist (dsot) stem comprised of a pair of heavy spiral threads outside of a central gauze. The bowl is engraved with a rising sun, a well-known masonic symbol. In all, this item has a wonderful and strong presence to it. Thick firing foot with a rough snapped pontil.

The glass is in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks, other flaws, or restoration. The height is 4 5/8", with a bowl diameter of 3" and a foot diameter of 2 3/4".

A striking antique wine glass with a solid base bell bowl engraved with a grape vine, leaves, and bunches of grapes. The stem has a multiple spiral air twist (MSAT) extending into the base of the bowl, and features a medial bladed collar. Conical foot with rough, snapped pontil. Fine color, striations, and tooling marks.

Condition is excellent with no problems, flaws, or restoration. The height is 6 5/8", a bowl diameter of 2 1/2", and a foot diameter of 2 3/4".

NOTE: On the relatively rare...

A beautiful example of an English drinking glass of the double series opaque twist (DSOT) type. The round funnel bowl sits atop a stem with a 14-ply spiral band around a central pair of heavy spiral threads. Conical foot with rough, snapped pontil.

By far, most opaque twists are straight stems. In contrast, this one has a medial knop. However, what makes this glass highly unusual is that the knop, which is quite large, is a bladed knop. Practically all knops on opaque twist glasses are of the...

A beautifully made antique drinking glass with a round funnel bowl. A merise separates the bowl from the stem which features a multi-spiral opaque twist and shoulder and medial knops. Lead metal, conical foot with rough, snapped pontil

The height of the glass is 6 5/8", with a bowl diameter of 2 1/4" and a foot diameter of 2 5/8". Fine condition with no chips, cracks, scratches, hazing, etc.

A fine example of a triple knopped double series opaque twist (DSOT) antique wine glass. The bell bowl is over a stem with a pair of 3-ply spiral bands outside of a central gauze, and with a flattened shoulder knop, a medial knop, and a basal knop. Conical foot with rough, snapped pontil.

The vast majority of opaque twist glasses have straight stems, and the addition of even one knop adds substantially to the difficulty of making them, and to the value. Each additional knop increases these f...

A strong oil on wood portrait of a gentleman sporting a long ponytail, and wearing a large black hat, a ruffled white shirt, a brownish-gray jacket. Cleverly executed to look like the painting is oval and in a mat, in actuality the entire surface is painted and is not a mat.

The condition of this work is excellent, with no issues or restoration. The frame, which is modern, nicely complements this work sight size is 6 1/2" by 4 1/2", with the framed size being 8 3/4" by 7".

A wonderful example of a rare Dr. Wall Worcester tea canister of fluted oval "French shape." There are several variations of the Hop Trellis pattern, with this one being less common. All versions of the pattern are highly collected. In the case of this variety, the upper border is a deep blue, while the lower border is a turquoise cailloute (a lacy network of oval or circular outlines, from the French, meaning "pebbled"). The main body of the caddy has iron-red trellises with gold bands twining ...

A tall and fine ale glass of lead metal. The elongated round funnel bowl sits atop a double series opaque twist (DSOT) stem that contains a 9-ply spiral band outside of a pair of heavy spiral threads. Alongside each of the threads is a air strand. This in not that uncommon and generally referred to as an incidental thread. However those are generally much thinner than here and do not follow the entire length of the enamel twist. It is not clear if this was intentional, but it does add to the att...

A fine double series opaque twist (DSOT) wine glass with a conical bowl leading into a stem with a central gauze surrounded by two heavy spiral threads. The bowl has molded fluting in the lower three quarters.

The glass is in very good condition with no cracks, hazing, or restoration. There is a tiny shallow chip under the foot rim, which can be discerned at around 1:30 in the last photo. There is an unimportant small inclusion in the upper section of the bowl shown in the first photo. Height ...

A nicely made English wine glass featuring a conical bowl with "hammering" on the lower two thirds of the bowl. The stem is a double series opaque twist with a central lace twist and an outer pair of 6-ply spiral bands. Conical foot with rough snapped pontil. Good color, tooling marks, and striations.

The condition is excellent, with no chips, cracks, restoration or other problems. Height is 7", with a bowl diameter of 2 3/8" and a foot diameter of 2 7/8".

A fine pair of miniature portraits, done in watercolor on wafer, by Ozias Humphry. They are mounted back to back in a gold case which has black and gold eglomise work on the cover glasses. The sitters are, purportedly by descent within the family, a Mr. and Mrs. Poole. The woman is attired in a white classic white gown and wears a bone comb in her hair. The man is in a blue jacket with gold buttons, and sports a white ruffled shirt and stock.

The condition of the paintings is excellent, with g...

A fine Georgian wine glass with a multiple-spiral opaque twist (MSOT) stem below an ogee bowl. The stem has a flattened shoulder knop and a basal knop. This knop configuration, combined with an uncommon twist type, makes this glass quite unusual. Conical foot with a rough, snapped pontil. Good color, tooling marks, and striations.

The condition is excellent, with no chips, cracks, hazing, or restoration. Any streaks, spots, or other disturbances in the photos are due to dust or light reflectio...

Painted in watercolor on organic material, this fine example of Wood's work depicts an older man with blue eyes and pigtailed hair dressed in a black jacket with gold buttons, and a white vest and stock. Housed in its original case, with the glazed reverse having fancy hairwork over a on a white glass backing.

The painting is in excellent condition, with no cracks, bowing, or paint loss. the white area to the right of the sitter's head is intentionally done that way, and is not uncommon in som...

A fine miniature, painted in watercolor on natural material, by George Place. The subject is a rather jowly hazel-eyed fellow in liturgical garb. Housed in its original gold plated case.

The painting is in excellent condition with no issues. The black or white specs in the photo are only in the photograph. Size of the cased painting is 2 3/8" by 2".

NOTE: George Place (c1760 - 1805) was born in Ireland and studied there under F.R. West. By 1791 he was living in London and exhibited at t...

A well painted watercolor on natural wafer, signed on the backing paper by Louisa Freeman. The sitter, a gentleman of aristocratic bearing, is arrayed in the height of fashion for the period, sporting a black jacket, yellow vest, and white stock. Housed in an ebonized wood frame.

The condition of the frame and painting is excellent, with no issues to speak of. The sight size of the portrait is 2 5/8" by 2 1/8", with a framed size of 5" by 4 3/8".

An early Worcester patty pan with everted rim, carefully painted in blue with the "Bare Tree and Speared Bird" pattern. The pattern features an oriental landscape with a turreted single story building between a figure and a tree, within a diaper pattern pendent husk and scroll border. Workman's mark on the exterior base.

The condition of this piece is excellent, with crisp deep colors and no cracks, chips, or other flaws. The diameter is 4 3/16" (10.5 cm).

A nicely done portrait miniature of a gentleman, executed in watercolor on natural organic material. Housed in its original ebonized wood frame which has an interesting musical motif as the hanger base.

No condition issues for either the painting or the frame. Sight size is 2 7/8" by 2 1/4", and the framed size is 4 3/4" by 4 1/4".

A charming pair of portraits of a brother and sister, painted in watercolor on natural material.

The condition of both paintings is excellent, with no issues. The gold case is also without problems. Sight size is 2 1/8" by 1 3/4", and the overall size is 2 3/8" by 1 7/8".

A miniature portrait, painted in watercolor on organic wafer, depicting a gentleman with powdered hair, a deep blue jacket, and a white shirt and tie.

The miniature is housed in a period, heavy gilt bronze frame which in and of itself has a good amount of intrinsic value.. Neither the painting nor the frame have any condition issues. Sight size is 2 1/8" by 1 5/8", with a frame size of 5 5/8" by 3 1/4".

A fine example of a double series opaque twist (DSOT) wine glass. The lower half of the bowl is spiral molded, with the stem containing a pair of corkscrews outside on a single central corkscrew.

The condition of the glass is excellent, with no chips, cracks, hazing, or restoration. Wonderful color and tooling marks. Rough snapped pontil. The height is a goodly 7 1/4", with a bowl diameter of 2 1/4" and a foot diameter of 2 7/8".

A pair of antique English ale glasses of unusual form and color. Each with an elongated funnel bowl and medial knop, and a rough snapped pontil. The condition is excellent with no issues. The height is 6"

A fine Georgian ratafia glass featuring an extremely narrow drawn trumpet bowl, the top half engraved with flowers and leaves, and the bottom half of the bowl with molded fluting. The stem is a double series opaque twist (DSOT) with a pair of spiral tapes outside of a loose central gauze. Conical foot with rough pontil.

The glass is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, cloudiness, or restoration. Good color, striations, and tooling marks. Wonderfully and elegantly proportioned, bei...

A superb example of a Worcester pickle dish with the "Two Peony Rock Bird" pattern with formal plant scrolls around the edge. The pattern is classified as uncommon, and the leaf form pickle dish is less common than the shell form. A workman's mark is on the underside.

The piece offered here is as fine as it could be, with no chips, cracks, paint loss, or restoration. The colors are vibrant with good contrast. Any areas of white, paint skipping, or faintness are due to reflections in the photos...

A fine English wine glass with an ogee bowl with 16 flutes in the lower half. The stem features an unusual single series opaque twist (SSOT) configuration of 4 spiral tapes, making for a very pleasing appearance. Conical foot with a rough pontil. Good color and tool marks, with no condition issues. The height is 5 3/4", with a bowl diameter of 2" and a foot diameter of 2 3/4".

A fine and early Bow porcelain Blanc de Chine thinly potted coffee cup with raised prunus blossoms and an angular crabstock handle.

Excellent condition with no cracks, losses or restoration. Slight and scattered tiny spots of kiln spitting as to be expected. The height is 2 9/16" and the bowl diameter is 2 7/16".

An extremely nice Wedgwood jasperware button depicting Andromache weeping over the ashes of Hector. Dating from the 4th quarter of the 18th century, the button is incised "WEDGWOOD" and the later mount is hallmarked as silver.

Excellent condition with no issues of note, and of very large size at 1 5/8". The metal surround is not lopsided as shown in the photo, which was taken at a slight angle.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our collection. The b...

An very fine Wedgwood jasperware button showing a classical figure holding an apple, with a cherub reaching for it. Dating from the 4th quarter of the 18th century, the button is incised "WEDGWOOD" and "63" and the later mount is hallmarked. Excellent condition with no issues of note, and of very large size at 1 11/16". The metal surround is not lopsided as shown in the photo, which was taken at a slight angle.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our coll...

A very fine Wedgwood jasperware button showing three women in classical garb with a child astride a sheep. Uncommon for both the scene and the dark blue ground color, rather than the usual Wedgwood blue. Dating from the 4th quarter of the 18th century, the button is incised "WEDGWOOD" and "255" with a later mount, which is not uncommon.

Excellent condition with no issues of note, and of a very large size at 1 5/8".

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell ...

A true tour de force of the use of pastes in buttons. This fine example is of large size at 1 1/4", and features a sprig of flowers in a circlet mounted on cobalt glass. Visible beneath the glass is guillochet worked metal. The back of the button is either silver or a base metal.

In excellent condition with no issues. Any whiteness or flecks in the photo are either light reflection or dust.

Provenance: Private purchase from the Speights Button Collection.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons...

Hand painted on natural organic wafer, this button depicts a cherub beside a flame topped memorial column, with greenery along the border. Photos under different lighting are shown, with the second photo probably being the most accurate in natural light.

No condition issues, and a diameter of 1 3/8".

Absolutely charming, and a rare piece.

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 o...

An extremely large, beautiful, and fine English wine glass, elegant in its simplicity. The bucket bowl sits above a stem of the double series opaque twist type, which has a pair of spiral threads outside of a central gauze.

Conical foot with a rough pontil. Good color and tool marks, with no condition issues. The height is 7 5/8", with a bowl diameter of 3" and a foot diameter of 3 3/8". Glasses of this size are quite uncommon in this period.

A beautiful Longton Hall bowl, decorated with polychrome flowers, most likely done by the Trembly Rose painter. Very fine condition with fresh colors, no cracks, paint loss, or restoration. The diameter is 4 3/8" and the height is 2".

Signed J.J. and dated 1772 on the lower right, this watercolor on wafer shows an obviously well-off woman attired in the latest finery, and with an elaborate hairdo with a lace cap.

Excellent condition, with no flaws to speak of, and measuring 1 1/2" by 1 1/4". Housed, with a cover glass, in a velvet lined leather travel case measuring 2 1/2" by 2 1/4" when closed.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: James Jennings of London (active 1763 - 1793) exhibited at the Society of Artists from 1763 to 1783, and was ...

A fine Georgian double series opaque twist (dsot) ale glass with an elongated round funnel bowl engraved with hops and barley, the stem with a pair of spiral threads outside of a lace twist. For a similar glass see Bickerton p.226, figure 683.

The glass stands 7 1/2 inches tall, with a bowl diameter of 2 3/8 inches and a foot diameter of 3 inches. Good color, striations, and tool marks, with a rough snapped pontil. Wonderful condition with no flaws or restoration.

A fine and early Worcester sweetmeat, the open shell curled over at one side, the undulating rim strongly shaded in green with a yellow inner border to the green. Painted in the Meissen style with a central flower spray surrounded by scattered smaller sprays.

Superb bright condition with no issues at all. The length is 4 3/4", the width 5 1/4", and the height 1 3/4".

NOTE: A similar dish, in a more common color, sparser painting, and with wear sold at the Bonham's sale in March, 2010.

A rare Worcester porcelain coffee can, tapering slightly toward the base and molded with corrugated ribs above a finely scalloped foot, the lobed rim with a slight flare, and the double scroll handle with a pointed thumbrest. Painted in the Chinese style with flowering plants, the border with half-flowerheads linked by a red line above leafy tendrils.

Excellent condition with vibrant colors, no chips, cracks, or restoration. A slight paint skip is on one petal of one half-flowerhead, shown in...

A superb English sweetmeat glass of elegant form, the flared double ogee bowl with moulded flutes leading into a moulded stem with a flattened shoulder knop and 5 basal collars above a spiral molded domed foot.

This fine example stands 6 1/8 inches tall, with a bowl diameter of 3 3/4 inches and a foot diameter of 3 1/4 inches. Perfect condition with wonderful color and tooling marks. Rough, snapped pontil.

A fine example of an English porcelain coffee can, made by the Richard Chaffers & Co. manufactory in Liverpool. As to be expected, and as it should be, the soapstone based body resembles that of Worcester.

This particular piece is decorated with a variation of the "Scarlet Japan" pattern, and shows bright colors and careful painting. The condition is excellent, with no chips, cracks, restoration, or other problems. The height is 2 1/4" and the diameter is 2 1/8".

A fine and rare 18th century English button with a hand painted scene on paper under glass depicting 5 blacks working in the field. The button is vermeil, gold on silver, with the back showing English hallmarks. Excellent condition, with no issues. The button is 1" by 13/16".

A well proportioned and elegant baluster wine glass dating from the period of George I. This fine example features a trumpet bowl over a collar directly over an annulated knop. The stem leads into a true baluster knop over a short section over a folded foot with a rough, snapped pontil.

The condition is excellent, with no issues and with good color, tooling marks, and striations. The height is 5 7/8", with a bowl diameter of 2 3/8" and a foot diameter of 2 3/4".

NOTES: 1. This glass is si...

A fine double series opaque twist wine glass with a bell bowl above a stem containing a pair of corkscrews outside of a single multi-ply corkscrew.

Conical foot with rough, snapped pontil. The condition of the glass is excellent, with no cracks, chips, or restoration. Good color, striations, and tooling marks. Any discolorations, specks, or streaks are due to the photos. The height of this fine piece is 6 3/4", with a bowl diameter of 2 13/16" and a foot diameter of 3".

A nice wine glass with an ogee bowl engraved with flowers and foliage. The stem is of the double series opaque twist type, containing a multiple spiral band around a central 4-ply central column of heavy spiral threads.

Lead metal with a conical foot with a rough, snapped pontil. The glass is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, cloudiness, or restoration. Good color, striations, and tooling marks. The height is 5 5/8" with a bowl diameter of 1 7/8" and a foot diameter of 2 3/8".

An elegantly proportioned and executed Georgian wine flute of lead metal. The drawn trumpet bowl sits above a double series opaque twist (DSOT) stem which is comprised of a pair of spiral threads around a central gauze. Conical foot with rough, snapped pontil.

The condition of the glass is excellent, with no cracks or chips. Good color, striations, and tool marks. There is a very small in the making dip at one point on the rim. Any discolorations, specks, or streaks are due to the photos or d...

A wonderful example of a Dr. Wall, or First period, Worcester small bowl, thinly potted and pencilled (painted with a very fine brush) in black with the "Boy on a Buffalo" pattern. The buffalo is standing by a large tree at the water's edge, sampans off the shore, with a bird, other foliage, and a building in the scene. A flower is on the interior bottom. A workman's mark is on the bottom, as is a label from when this item was displayed at the 1998 Albert Amor Exhibition of the Vincent Townrow C...

A spectacular First Period Worcester porcelain dish decorated by James Giles. The dish is quite large, at 9 1/4" in diameter, and is molded with an undulating border, wide fluting running from the edges to the recessed central scalloped area. The overall form is that of a soup dish, but it appears to be overly large for that. That area is decorated with three beautiful butterflies around a central flower sprig. The entire plate is fulsomely decorated with sprigs and bunches of a variety of flowe...

A beautiful example of a Lowestoft porcelain pickle leaf dish with a grape and vine decoration and the berry border. Vein molded on the reverse. The foot rim has a workman's mark.

The condition is excellent, with no flaws. Light areas in the photo are due to reflections as opposed to paint loss. Width is 3 1/2" and the length is 4".

A Bow porcelain coffee cup of very rare beaker, or bucket, form. The scene is "The Koto Player", depicting a woman seated under a tree, playing the koto. The other side shows a table with a few fronds in a vase. Labels on the base show the provenance as the Bonham's Billie Paine sale, and Rod Jellicoe, a highly respected English porcelain dealer.

The condition of this piece is excellent, with no flaws, and deep clear colors. The height is 2 1/4", with a top diameter of 2 1/2" and a base diamet...

A large button, done in watercolor on organic material, with a glass cover and a copper rim with a steel back. The scene depicted is of a grand house and garden, identified along the lower edge as "Maison de Mdm Vanne".

The button is in excellent condition, though the back could use a bit of cleaning to remove some oxidation. The diameter is 1 1/2".

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our collection. The buttons shown on our site represent but a sma...

An excellent example of an uncommon form, a Lowestoft hand painted butter boat, showing two houses on an island and with a lattice border on the leaf-shaped piece, and with an angular stalk handle. Retains the label of Rod Jellicoe, a well-known dealer in English porcelain.

The condition is excellent, with bright colors and no chips, cracks, paint loss, or restoration. 2 1/4" long by 2" wide.

A fine example of a coffee can made by the Seth Pennington Liverpool factory. The pattern, known as the "Scolding Woman" shows two polychrome Chinoiserie figures along with a large tree and rockwork.

The condition is superb, with no flaws and looking factory fresh. The height is 2 1/2" and the diameter is 2 1/4".

A besutiful and exceptional old Sheffield standish, the tray ornately wrought with scallop shell and foliage motifs, raised on 4 curving feet with similar work. Within the tray are the following separate components: two silver square ink bottle holders, two heavy cut glass ink bottles; two silver ink bottle lids, a round silver chamberstick holder, a silver chamberstick wrought with groove and scallop designs, a silver bobeche for the chamberstick, and a silver snuffer.

The construction of ...

An attractive 18th century English porcelain teabowl and saucer, made by one of the Liverpool factories. Excellent condition with no problems. The saucer is 4 3/4" in diameter, with the bowl being 3" in diameter and 1 3/4" in height.

A finely painted miniature portrait of a handsome dark-haired young gentleman in a blue jacket, and a white waistcoat and stock. Presented in a rolled gold case with a glazed reverse. Though unsigned, there is a taped pencil inscription with artist's name en verso.

The condition is excellent with no issues to speak of. The overall size is 2 3/8" by 2 1/8".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Louis-Marie Autissier (1772–1830), was born in Brittany, France. He joined the French Revolutionary army in 1791, le...

A fine and charming portrait miniature with an unusual and exceptional reverse. The sitter is a sweet woman painted in an ethereal manner. She is wearing pearl earrings and a cream gown with a pair of roses at the low point of the neckline. There is a lace fichu with a double blue line at the border. The background is done in a grayish green color.

The case is of gilt floral form, with the reverse being testudines with a large inset area of sterling silver, the initials "GU" engraved in the ce...

A charming watercolor on paper painting depicting a young woman holding a note or book in her lap while her pet dog begs for attention. The dress, feathered hat, and hairdo, as well as the construction style of the house show this to be a woman of means, as well as placing this work in the 1800-1803 time period. This is likely a schoolgirl painting, done in freestyle rather than the more common stenciling. Presented in a period giltwood frame.

There are no folds or creases in this example. The...