Catalog (971)

Another fine example from our personal collection of animal hooked rugs, this one featuring an elephant posed on grass with fruited tree branches descending from the top of the rug.

The rug has a felt border, easily detached if so desired. The condition is excellent, with good colors and some slight scattered wear to the border. The size is 40" by 30".

A pair of black papier mache wine bottle coasters, each beautifully hand painted with a colorful bird within a red and gilt cartouche. The form is quite rare, with more common versions made of silver or silver plate. Because of the date, and the quality exhibited in these, it is quite probable that they were made by Jennens and Bettridge (fl. 1815-1864), the English firm most respected for this type work.

The coasters are 6 1/4" in diameter and 1/2" in depth. Overall condition is excellent, wi...

A sentimental Bohemian souvenir or memento flashed red glass mug, with a nicely curved handle. Etched with flowers and the saying "To My Son." In superb condition, standing 4 1/8 inches tall, with a diameter of 2 3/8 inches.

This glass is a companion piece to g1217, identical except for the floral arrangement on top of the cartouche surrounding the saying.

A huge stamped silver button with a scarab enameled in green, green shaded with brown, and blue. This is surrounded by pastes set in holes drilled through the silver. Of unusual size and form, the button is shown on color plate 26 of Stefan Schiff's book "Buttons: Art in Miniature".

Excellent condition with no issues. The diameter is 1 11/16".

A fine miniature by Charles Dixon, signed "CD" and dated 1750. The subject is a gentleman with his hair tied back, wearing a blue coat, red waistcoat, and black stock. Presented in a gilt metal mount with bracelet clasp, measuring 1 3/8" by 1 1/8".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Information about Charles Dixon (fl 1748 - 1798) appears to be quite sparse, and there is not even certainty that his first name was Charles since those pieces he signed were done so with "CD". It is known that Benjamin Frankl...

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 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 beautifully painted miniature by Jeremiah Meyer. The sitter is a blue-eyed older woman wearing a lace cap, a white gown and scarf with a large ribbon at the neck, and a taupe shawl. The 15K gold case is another extraordinary work of art, blue foil backed glass, and the same on the reverse surrounding and centering an oval woven plait of hair.

Condition of the painting and case is superb, with no issues. Sight size is 2.4" by 1.8", while the case size is 4" by 2.8".

NOTES:
1. The photo...

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 bold and beautiful tinsel, or foil, painting, reverse painted on glass. The subject matter is a yellow and white urn, filled with a bountiful array of various flowers, done in a rainbow of colors. The period and probably original frame is of high quality mahogany, which is very rarely found on this type of work.

The painting is in overall excellent condition, and the frame itself has some scuffing and wear, which could easily be touched up. The sight size is 12" by 10 3/4", and the framed si...

A c1840 fine portrait miniature of a young woman in a black dress with elaborate white lace edging around the collar and bodice, and running down the center of the dress almost to the waist. A necklace and lavalier complete her outfit.

Housed in a brown leather over wood case measuring 2 3/4" by 2 1/2" when closed. The sight size of the painting is 2 1/4" by 1 3/4". Excellent condition with wear to the case exterior..

A wonderful and strong American freehand watercolor on paper folk art theorem. Strawberries, apples, cherries, and pears, with their foliage, are depicted in bold colors with a whimsical style. They rest in a large bowl with a light brown tint (not stained).

In contrast to the creasing, heavy foxing and flaws that many examples of this type art have, the overall condition is excellent, with no tears and only a spot or two or discoloration. The sight size is 12 inches by 8 3/8 inches, while the...

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 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".

A beautiful silver compact with the exterior sides inlaid with natural organic material. Opening this gem reveals a mirror and a heavily filigreed lid to the interior compartment which contains powder and a puff. Superbly crafted and with no damage or restoration, the compact measures 3 1/4" by 2 7/8", and is 1/2" thick.

Aside from its elegant proportions and casting, this cast iron planter is exceptional because it retains a large portion of its original salmon and white paint. No breaks or restoration.

20" in length, 12" in width, and 12" tall.

An uncommon, beautiful, and elegant baluster drinking glass, with a bell bowl engraved on the top half with fruiting vine decoration. The bowl has a solid base and surmounts a stem with a collar knop and a large drop knop atop a basal cushion knop.

The glass is in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks, blooming, or restoration. This fine example is 6 3/4" in height, with a bowl diameter of 2 7/8" and a foot diameter of 3".

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...

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 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 fine and early Bow porcelain Blanc de Chine thinly potted chocolate or coffee cup with raised prunus blossoms.

Excellent condition with no cracks, losses or restoration. Compared to the usual height of Bow coffee cups of this form and period, which is approximately 2 9/16", the example offered here is 5/8" taller, at 3 3/16". The bowl diameter is 3". A superb and rare piece.

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".

An exceedingly rare portrait miniature, done in watercolor on organic wafer, by John Miers (1756–1821) who was the most famous profilist or painter of silhouettes in Britain. (Actually, the term “silhouette” was not used until the 1830’s. Prior to that, black silhouettes were known as “shades,” “shadow portraits,” or “profiles.”) Although Miers was known to have done tens of thousands of shades, only a very few full color portrait miniatures are thought to exist.

The p...

A charming miniature portrait, done in watercolor on natural wafer, and mounted in a later 14K gold ring with an impressed maker's mark of "MP". The sitter is a young red-haired child, facing left, and wearing a black dress with a dotted lace ruffled collar.

The ring size is 6 1/2, and the portrait measures 1 1/16" by 7/8". The condition of the portrait, as well as the ring, is excellent. The line near the left edge and along the top edge is due to refraction and does not appear when viewed in...

A superb and early Dr. Wall Worcester sauce boat, of cos lettuce leaf form. This uncommon example is leaf molded, has a looped stem handle, and is decorated inside and out with scattered flower sprigs and insects, finished with raised fruit near the handle juncture. A similar example is shown in S. Spero and J. Sandon, "Worcester Porcelain 1751-1790, The Zorensky Collection", 1996, p. 120, no. 88. This form and decoration is based on Meissen factory pieces.

The sauce boat is 7 1/4" long and ha...

An English lead glass of balustroid form. The bowl is a rounded funnel type, while the plain stem features an annular shoulder knop. Conical folded foot with rough, snapped pontil. 6 1/4 inches in height, with a bowl diameter of 2 inches and a foot diameter of 2 3/4 inches.

A wonderful and special Worcester Barr Flight Barr campana vase with snake handles, beautifully painted with a scene marked on the base as "Ruins of Bayham Abbey Church." The reverse of the scene with a salmon ground and having detailed urn and foliage gilding. The rim of the body proper and the top of the supporting column with faux pearls. The bottom also inscribed with "Barr Flight & Barr Worcester Manufac' to Their Majesties."

The vase is 6" tall and 6" wide across the handles. Conditi...

A finely painted miniature portrait, watercolor on natural wafer, of an attractive young woman. She is wearing a black dress, a white and pink fichu with a brooch, and a lace collar.Original case with a glazed aperture on the reverse. This fine example was part of the well-known sale of the Paul and Barbara Carpenter collection.

The sight size is 2 3/8" by 2".Aside from a small chip to the edge of the cover glass, the condition of the painting and case is excellent, with no issues. The white f...

A fine American miniature portrait of a young woman with sausage curls, wearing a lace cap and fichu, with a black dress with black dots. The watercolor painting is done on natural wafer, and enclosed in a period cast bronze foliate case with a glazed aperture on the reverse.

The miniature has no chips, cracks, or bowing. The painting slipped slightly in its case when I scanned it, but this is easily adjusted. Sight size is 2 1/4" by 1 7/8", while the case size is 2 3/4" by 2 1/4".

A beautifully executed miniature portrait painting by Andrew Plimer, done on natural organic material. The sitter, an attractive woman with strong features, short curly chestnut hair, and gray eyes, is simply dressed in a white gown, and is shown against a beautiful blue sky and white cloud background. As is often the case with Plimer's miniatures at this period, it is somewhat idealized, and the strong nose and elongated neck are typical.

The miniature is in excellent condition, with no pr...

A tea cup, coffee cup, and saucer in Chamberlains Worcester pattern #153, gorgeously painted with roses and elaborate gilding. The bottom, of the saucer has an unusual gilded "P." mark.

The saucer has a 5 1/2" diameter, one cup is 2 1/2" tall with a rim diameter of 2 3/4" and a foot diameter of 2". The second cup is 2 5/8" tall with a rim diameter of 3 3/8" and a foot diameter of 2 1/4". Condition is excellent with no repairs or cracks. Some very minor tiny gilt losses. White areas in the pho...

A beautiful and vibrant chausable set from the mid 18th century, comprised of the chausable, the maniple, the chalice cover, and mat. The deep, rich purple damask of the material is set off by the intricate embroidered orphrey on the chausable and maniple. Even the cover and mat, made of the same damask, have embroidered crosses on them, and are bordered with metallic thread. Overall condition is very good, with some scattered splits and stains.

A deep amethyst finger bowl with its matching undertray, rarely found, and in perfect condition; polished pontils

Bowl diameter, 4 1/2", bowl height 3", plate diameter 6"

A beautiful set of three emerald green roemers with cup bowls, applied prunts of the stem, and folded feet and polished pontils. Condition is excellent, with no chips, cracks, or restoration. The height of each is 4 7/16", with a bowl diameter of 2 1/2" and a foot diameter of 3".

NOTE: The price given is for the set of 3, but each can be purchased separately.

A charming petit point on silk purse, done in the tiniest of stitches, and showing a different scene on each side. On the front is a young woman feeding a chicken, the other side showing a swan in a lake with a fountain and castle in the distance. Both sides have a line of flowers surrounding the scenes, the whole against a pale gray lavender background. The gold colored frame is enhanced with interrupted sections of silver.

Displaying vibrant colors, the purse is in excellent condition, with ...

A fine and unusual French lame silk shawl. Black shawls are considerably more common than the cream and silver of this example. Multicolored flowers at the corners and a silver medallion in the center combine in this striking design, which is enhanced by the silk ombre fringe on all sides.

The shawl is in excellent condition, with no holes, tears, stains, or missing fringe. There are some creases which can be removed with care. The size is 48" on all sides, with 18" fringes.