Catalog (971)

A fine c1790 portrait miniature of a woman with a somewhat serious demeanor, wearing a white fichu with lace trim, her powdered hair beneath a white bonnet with blue bows. The painting is in a period gold bracelet clasp frame. Excellent condition with an overall size of 1 5/8" by 1 1/4".

An uncommon and fine English wine glass with a pan top round funnel bowl atop a multiple spiral air twist (MSAT) stem with a medial swelled knop. Lead glass, rough snapped pontil.

No condition issues at all, and with excellent color, striations, and tool marks. The glass is 6" tall, with a bowl diameter of 2" and a nice foot diameter of 2 3/8".

Provenance: Bennington Museum, Bennington VT.

A charming portrait miniature that can be strongly attributed to the highly thought of artist Francois Dumont (1751-1831). The sitter is an attractive young woman wearing a white dress tied over a blue shirt that is accented by the blue ribbon in her hair. The overall diameter of the fabric-backed brass frame is 2 1/8".

A very similar work by Dumont is coming up at a European auction house in December 2022, with an estimate of 1500 Euro, not including premium.

Provenance: From an...

A strong English portrait miniature on natural wafer that will cause you to see spots before your eyes. However, they are on a high-necked dress worn by this woman whose attire also features a cap or wide headband. The reverse of the 2 1/2" by 2 1/8" gilt metal case has interwoven plaits of hair. Excellent condition.

A wonderful offering of a c1758 Vauxhall porcelain coffee can, very finely potted and painted in the highly sought after and uncommon "sticky blue". The scene is of two figures on a hill with a tree and a pagoda.

The condition is excellent, looking factory fresh, with no chips, cracks, paint loss, staining, restoration, etc. Any apparent shadows, white areas, streaks, or other issues are only due to photographic flaws and are not present when viewed in person. The can is 2 9/16" tall, with...

A beautiful example of a large Scratch Cross period Worcester tankard of spreading base form with a double groove strap handle. The pattern is "The Zig-Zag Fence", and is the first in a long series of Worcester fence patterns. The particular speciman offered here, with its single line mark, would be early in the c1751 to 1755 period in which this pattern was made. The expected blue workman's mark is on the base.

Condition is excellent, with no cracks, scratches, or chips. Colors are stro...

An elegant and beautiful English ratafia DSOT (double series opaque twist) glass. Ratafia glasses are quite uncommon, and this is fine and exceptionally tall example. The elongated narrow conical bowl is above a double series opaque twist stem with a pair of three-ply spiral bands outside of a pair of corkscrew tapes.

The glass is in perfect condition with no chips, cracks, or restoration. The proportions are excellent, with a height of 7 1/2 inches, a bowl diameter of 1.7 inches, and a g...

An extremely rare and striking c1754 Chelsea cup and saucer. The bell bowl with loop handle features a bird on a leafed branch, with several insects around the girth of the cup. The saucer is similarly decorated.

The overall condition is excellent, with clear and bright colors. Both pieces have the red anchor and stilt marks. The saucer is 5" in diameter, with the cup being 2 1/8" in height. 

A c1800 miniature, reasonably attributed to George Place. The silver shoulder belt plate indicates that the sitter was an officer in the 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment of Foot, c.1800 - 1810. The single epaulette on the right at this period shows he was an Ensign, Lieutenant, or Captain. The framed size of this piece, in its later frame with fabric backing, is 2 5/8" by 2 1/8". The white area at the top of the photo is a reflection.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Although his date of birth is not kno...

A fine and early English saucer showing a Chinese man with a bird. Done in blue and white, lot 303 of the Bonham's sale of the famous and important Watney collection showed this same pattern and identified it as being William Reid porcelain.

The saucer is in excellent condition and is 4 7/8" in diameter.

NOTE: William Reid & Co. were porcelain makers in Liverpool between 1756-61. Their factory was situated on Brownlow Hill where a bone-ash porcelain was produced.

A superb and early spread base mug example of the Worcester "Walk in the Garden" pattern. Although Branyan, in his book "Worcester Blue and White Porcelain 1751 - 1790" indicates the date range for this pattern to be 1755 to 1765, the lovely pale grayish-blue color of the decoration and the presence of a scratch cross mark on the base would place manufacture of this mug (or tankard) several years earlier, making this a truly exceptional piece. In addition to the incised line on the base there is...

A miniature of a beautiful young child who unfortunately passed away in 1798. The theme here is blue and white: in the clouds, in Harriet's eyes, and the ribbon in her hair. In contrast to that are the small areas where red makes its appearance: in the necklace, the child's lips and cheeks, and, to a lesser extent, in her hair.

The reverse of the case is engraved "Harriet Franklyn/B. 9 Oct 1795 D. 31 August 1798/Daughter of/Richard Franklyn/One of the Moneyers/of H. Mint, of Oxgate/Will...

A good c1770 British miniature portrait of a older gentleman, with the artist having cleverly displayed the wrinkles of age. He is dressed simply in the style of the time, wearing a wig, a white stock, and a gray coat.

The condition of the painting is excellent, and the papier mache frame is also in good condition but with a nick at the top right edge. The sight size is 2 1/2" by 2", with a framed size of 4 5/8" by 4".

NOTE: For those of you who are new to collecting portrait miniat...

A c1795 continental miniature of a gent who looks somewhat disgruntled, possibly with the waistcoat with blue polka dots and the black jacket with pearl buttons that his wife picked out for him. The reverse of the painting has a "B" embroidered on pink silk fabric. Both the front and back have beveled glass. The diameter of the gilt metal case is 2".

A fine example of a four knopped double series opaque twist (DSOT) antique wine glass. The bell bowl is over a stem with a pair of spiral threads outside of a central gauze, and with an annular knop and three ball knops. 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 factors. Also, unlike many ...

A fine and uncommon blue and white Liverpool Delft plate depicting a heron and fenced garden. The 9" plate is in fine condition, with some minor, common, and expected fritting at a few places along the rim.

A fine 17th century French tapestry table runner, with the motif weaving flowers and fruit throughout the piece. The overall condition is excellent, with no holes or tears. Carefully laid down on a linen backing. The length is 67" and the width is 13 3/4".

Acquired from a long time private collection, where it was used as a table display piece, but could certainly be used, in smaller segments, to make a number of exquisite pillows.

A very early and rare miniature, enamel on copper, done circa 1690-1700 by Peter Boy the Elder (1651-1727). The sitter is Johann Wilheim II. He was Elector Palatine (1658–1716) of the Wittelsbach dynasty and was Duke of Neuburg (1690–1716), Duke of Jülich and Berg (1679–1716), and Duke of Upper Palatinate and Cham (1707–1714). From 1697 onwards Johann Wilhelm was also Count of Megen. Clearly a busy and well titled fellow.

The miniature is in its original gold mount on a 19th c...

A charming miniature portrait by Susan Penelope Rosse, executed in gouache on gesso-washed vellum or card. The sitter is a sweet looking girl with long hair, wearing a blue gown with white lace edging at the bodice. The case for the miniature deserves special mention, being a flip type made of testudines shell with gold mounts.

The painting is in quite fine condition, with no issues, as is the clever case. The sight size is 1 3/8" by 1 1/8".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Susan Penelope Rosse (or Rose) ...

A fine example of a textile fragment from a 17th century chausable, purple cut velvet in a geometric vine design on a yellow background, mounted on silk. Overall fine condition, with a sight size of 18" by 18 1/2".

A fine watercolor on vellum painting of an aristocratic woman. The sitter, a blue-eyed blonde powder haired woman who is coquettishly toying with a long lock of her hair, is gloriously decked out in a very low cut white gown with a red shawl. The gown is partially held up by a long strand of diamond and gold jewelry with a matching bracelet on her left arm. Farther up that arm the sleeve of the gown is cinched by a diamond and pearl brooch. A pearl bracelet circles her right arm.

A label on p...

A fine in-period Kangxi saucer with two dragons. The reverse with a Ming dynasty mark which is not uncommonly found on legitimate Kangxi pieces.

Excellent bright, vibrant condition with no problems at all. (The lightness of the double line border at the lower part of the photos is due to reflection, and is not paint loss or fading.) The diameter is 4 1/2".

A superb in-period Kangxi scalloped dish with two Long Eliza figures and a Jumping Boy figure in the central scene. Immediately surrounding that scene the cavetto is divided into compartments, each with a flower head motif. Surrounding that are further compartments, each containing a different stylized botanical speciman. The reverse of the dish with a full Kangxi mark in the center Surrounding that, in raised compartments, are floral depictions, and outside that a border of various symbols.

...

A charming in-period Kangxi octagonal saucer with 5 figures of women, each playing a different musical instrument. Fully marked on the reverse, with foliage outside the double line encircling the marks.

Bright, vibrant colors and glaze, with no condition problems at all. The diameter is 5 1/2".

An uncommon in-period Kangxi scalloped plate with a Long Eliza figure and a Jumping Boy figure in the central scene. This is actually an indoor/outdoor scene since, to the right of the woman is a window giving a partial view into the house. Immediately surrounding that scene the cavetto is divided into compartments with various symbols, and surrounding that are further compartments, each containing floral motifs. The reverse of the dish with a full Kangxi mark in the center. Surrounding that, as...

A rare pale green Dutch or German roemer with a large cup bowl above a wide hollow stem flaring out to a folded foot. Immediately beneath the bowl is an applied milled collar above a section with applied strawberry prunts, below which is another collar.

This huge example is 8" tall, with a bowl diameter of 5" and a foot diameter of 4 1/2". The condition is excellent, with no cracks chips, mineral deposits, restoration, or other problems.

NOTE: The roemer was purchased in 1970 from Kunstza...

A fine cotton exemplar textile fragment from Perugia, Italy, dating back to the 16th century. Foliage and mythological figures, distinctive themes used in Perugia, cover the piece which has been carefully mounted on a cotton covered board.

Overall condition is very fine, with some minor and easily cleaned surface dirt. The size is 21" by 9".

A wonderful exemplar of an Italian voided velvet textile, done in a deep red. Similar examples are shown in "European Textiles in the Keir Collection 400BC to 1800AD".

The overall condition is excellent, and the sight size is 21 3/4" by 8 1/2".

Provenance: The Spinx Collection

An exceptional and rare Italian cut and voided velvet panel, probably Genovese, done in a dark green on a beige foundation. The motif features mythological animals and urns, all surrounded by foliate scrolls.

The condition is quite fine, even for a textile 250 years younger. The length is 64 1/2", with a width of 10 1/2".

A superb piece for display or use as an accent, and should appeal to collectors and decorators.

A beautiful early 17th century silk floss textile embroidered with a variety of flowers in a panoply of colors. The central section has larger and more elaborate examples, while the borders have smaller meandering flora. Most probably of Italian origin.

The condition is quite fine, and the dimensions are 67" by 16". This wonderful piece has been part of my collection for 25 years and has not been previously shown or offered.

An early pale yellow-green mold blown bottle of mallet shape. The conical neck with two narrow rings at the top and a knop-like bulge at the bottom. At the shoulder of the bottle is a molded brown tinted circle. The bottle body is decorated with three raised circular reserves, each with a flower within, and surrounded by radiating leaves.

This very rare bottle has survived its long burial without damage. It is also remarkable in that most of the outside retains its original fire finish while t...

A superb example of a sand core dark blue glass oenochoe of Greek or Egyptian origin. The pear-shaped jug has a trefoil mouth, convex handle, and a round splayed foot. The central part of the body is decorated with a spiral yellow thread above a yellow zig-zag motif, below which is a turquoise zig zag section above another spiral yellow thread. The rim of the mouth and the foot are decorated with a yellow border.

The height of the jug is 3 1/4", with a diameter at its widest point of 1 3/4" an...

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...

A beautiful and unusual Art Deco ring, marked 18K gold. The central section has a stylized floral motif, with the leaves, petals, and central section with diamonds. This section is against a background of blue enamel over a guilloche substrate, enabling a wonderful depth and scintillating appearance. Surrounding the central section is a border of diamonds.

This stunning piece of craftsmanship has no condition issues, with all original diamonds, and no restoration to the metalwork. The top of t...

A heavily jeweled Austrian jewelry box lined in velvet; 4 3/4" by 3 1/4" by 3 1/4"

A heavily jeweled Austrian jewelry box, lined in deep green velvet, unusual in that there are even jewels on the legs; 5 1/2" by 4 1/4" by 3 1/4". Excellent condition.

A beautiful, elegant, and rare carpet motif micro beaded purse. The rarity of the purse comes from the use of an open field in a cream white with representations of four flasks. The field is surrounded by a triple guard (borders) of extremely detailed and intricate flower representations. Finely done carpet motif purses, as this is, are known to use beads of the smallest size, often far smaller than figural or scenic purses. The frame and chain are 800 silver.

The purse is 7 3/4 inches long (i...

A wonderful micro beaded figural purse from the 1st quarter of the 20th century. The scene shows two figures in 18th century clothing, the man serenading, with a mandolin, a woman seated in a chair in the garden. The same scene appears on both sides of the purse.

Complementing the multi-colored scene is a beautiful enameled and jeweled frame and a full four color fringe.

The condition of the purse, inside and out, is excellent, with no holes or tears. The clasp closes firmly and evenly. The ...

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"

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 large and striking carnival gambling wheel, painted in vibrant yellow, red, black, and blue. In overall excellent condition, and has a support post and spinner. All divider nails are present. 35 inches in diameter.

A superbly constructed copper weathervane of a three masted barque ship. The details and accuracy of this ship vane are amazing, with its multiple sails and rigging. This fine example was previously part of the collection at the Texaco world headquarters.

The ship, on a custom made stand, is 36" long and 32" tall, with a beautiful patina, is in excellent condition, with no flaws to speak of.

A beautiful American ring, marked 14K gold, set with a large central pearl surrounded by 12 deep blue sapphires. Excellent condition with a ring size of 7 3/4.

This beautiful bracelet, marked 14K, features blue guilloche work, a gold filigree area with 2 small moonstones and a large central one surrounded by 11 sapphires and 2 garnets. A stunning piece with beautiful craftsmanship.

The inside of the bracelet measures 2 1/4" across and 1 7/8" high. Excellent condition with no issues.

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...

A large, decorated, Navajo coil basket; 13 1/2" diameter, 4" tall Excellent condition with no flaws.

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"

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.

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

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 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

A striking quilt in a deep red and black. Most importantly the quilt has, stitched on its reverse, "Sarah amd Anne Hoit, Burlington, VT 1838". It also has, stitched at a later time, "A Present to O. Sherman 1881". It is very uncommon to find a quilt, especially such an early one, with such complete information as to the maker, place and date. The piece is approximately 82" square, with the cutouts being 16" square.

Overall condition is not bad, but there is some surface wear, and some scatte...

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...

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...

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