Catalog (971)

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

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

The oval cup ...

A wonderful watercolor on natural wafer, painted by Robert Field. The sitter, a very pretty young woman with brown hair and eyes, is posed in front of a red drapery, and is wearing a black jacket over a white dress with a neck ruffle. The ebonized frame appears to be original, as is the cover glass which has a black and eglomise border.

The condition of this rare gem is excellent, with no cracks, chips, paint loss, or bowing. Except for a discolored area in the top right, the frame is also in ...

A beautiful and rare bucket shaped cup made by the Bow porcelain factory and decorated in gilt, iron red, green, and blue in the kakiemon "Two Quail" pattern. The arrangement of the pattern is also unusual on this piece, with the birds placed directly opposite the handle.

This piece is in superb condition, with no chips or restoration, and showing bright enamels, with a truly minor in the making glaze split at the top of the handle (shown in extreme magnification in the 6th photo). The cup is...

A fine and rare Bow porcelain coffee cup and saucer painted with the "Dragon Chasing (the Flaming) Pearl (of Wisdom). The interior of the cup also shows the dragon, while the exterior of the saucer is painted with clouds. One of the ways to distinguish this early Bow version is the arrow shaped tongue emanating from the mouth of the dragon. The pieces are very finely potted, and each has a workman's number 13 on the bottom. The handle of the cup is of the crabstock or twig form.

The condition ...

A wonderful Bow porcelain factory tea bowl painted in the "Jumping Boy" pattern. Although this pattern is occasionally found on Chaffers porcelain, and is not common, it appears to occur even much less frequently on Bow porcelain pieces. The potting is extremely thin and light. The painting, done in shades of dark and lighter blues, is extremely well done, and features a seated Oriental woman holding a sprig of flowers. To her left is the jumping boy, suspended in mid-air with a Chinese emblem a...

The Chelsea porcelain toy offered here is a magnificent 3 3/4 inch tall scent bottle in the form of a flower vendor dressed in a white apron, a blue bodice enhanced with a red ribbon, a yellow lined purple flowered jacket, and a turquoise skirt. She is holding an elongated basket of greenery in her right hand, and a large basket of flowers cradled in her left arm. Her hat is adorned with various types of fruit, as is the stopper of the bottle. The concave base has a gilt floral sprig within a de...

A beautiful and rare Chelsea Red Anchor plate distinguished by both its raised strawberry and leaf decorations around the gently undulating border, and the central bird. Plates with such a border are known, but not common. However, almost without exception, these plates have a floral center, rather than the bird surrounded by the wonderfully colored and rendered insects that this one has. The plate is 8 inches in diameter, and has no chips, cracks, or repairs. The normal crazing to the glassy gl...

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...

It is highly uncommon for dram size glasses to have a domed foot, and this is a superb example. The ogee bowl is above a double series opaque twist (DSOT) stem consisting of spiral bands outside of central spiral tapes. Rough snapped pontil.

4 1/4" tall, 1 7/8" diameter bowl, 2 5/8" diameter foot.

An unusual double series air twist (DSAT) short cordial glass; the ovoid bowl above the stem consisting of 3 spiral threads surrounding a vertical cable; conical foot with rough, snapped pontil

5 1/16" tall, 1 5/8" bowl diameter, 2 1/2" foot diameter

A rare and elegant first period Dr. Wall Worcester cream boat. This thinly potted superb example is of vertical faceted form with a double C-scroll handle with a raised thumb rest, and is painted in blue in the Prunus Root pattern. The gnarled root depicted has flowering branches trailing around the rim and small insects, the bottom with workman mark "IH".

Pristine condition with no issues at all. Clear, non-blurred painting. The length is 3 3/4 inches and the height is 2 1/4 inches.

A...

This is a very fine Dr. Wall Worcester sparrow beak cream jug, dating from the 1765-1768 period. The pattern features brightly painted pomegranates in various stages of development. There is only one other example of this pattern recorded: a coffee cup that was theorized to have been made as a replacement for a Chinese teaset, and was offered in one of the Zorensky sales. Not only is the subject matter unusual, but the use of matte black enamel (to emphasize the ground) is very rare, as it vir...

A fine and early Worcester patty pan, painted in underglaze blue with the "Bare Tree and Speared Bird" pattern, with trailing leaf sprays on the exterior and a painter's mark on the bottom. This pattern appears to only have been used on patty pans, and is also the only other pattern, aside from the full "Mansfield" pattern, that has a "Mansfield" pattern border.

More important is that the patty pan with this pattern, uncommon in itself, was made in two forms. The more common is shallowe...

A wrythen molded wine or ale glass made in the Netherlands in the Venetian style that was popular in the 17th century. The elongated bowl ends in a merise, below which is a hollow knop with applied pincered vertical ridges above the hollow stem, which terminates in a domed foot; soda glass

6 1/2" tall, 2 1/2" bowl diameter, 2 1/2" foot diameter

A beautifully limned miniature portrait painting by Elkanah Tisdale. The sitter, though unknown, is a handsome young man dressed in a black coat. The painting measures 3" by 2", and is in superb condition, with no chips, cracks, bowing, paint loss, or restoration. It is housed in a later metal case.

Few miniatures by Tisdale are known to exist, and with very rare exception, are, as is the case here, unsigned.

Tisdale was born in CT around 1771, then moved to and worked in NYC from 1794 to ...

A charming and beautifully rendered watercolor portrait, of a very attractive young woman, painted by Emanuel Reynolds. The sitter is dressed in the height of fashion for the period, around 1837, with a spangled diaphanous blue shawl over a low cut, pleated, black dress highlighted with a central blue brooch. Long blue and purple earrings, and a fine gold chain woven through her elaborate hairdo complete the picture of a wealthy member of the elite society.

What makes this piece truly spe...

A rare set of 6 tall English air twist drinking glasses featuring highly uncommon spiral fluted, narrow flared trumpet bowls above multiple-spiral air twist stems. The form itself is incredibly uncommon, as is finding any true set of 18th century glasses in superb condition.

7 1/8 inches tall, with bowl and foot diameters of 3 inches, and rough snapped pontils. No damage or restoration, lead with a good gray color, and excellent striations and tool marks.

Please note that the picture shows ...

A fine and uncommon toastmaster's baluster type glass featuring a deceptive waisted bucket bowl above a collar. The stem has a medial swelling knop and a basal knop. A wide foot with a rough snapped pontil gives this glass a wonderful stateliness. Great color, striations, and tool marks, with a real heft to the weight. For a virtually identical example see Bickerton, the 1987 edition, item #187. Also, Bonhams 11/20/19 sale, lot 99, had a shorter example with a less developed bowl that sold for $...

A beautiful English baluster wine glass of Kit Cat, or Kit Kat, type with a trumpet bowl containing a small tear, above a double collar, which is, in turn, above a shoulder knop, a true baluster knop, and a basal knop. Interestingly enough, a true baluster knop is one of the least common knops to be found on baluster glasses, making this a rare piece. It has a folded conical foot with a rough snapped pontil.

This glass is of Kit Cat type, as the true Kit Cat, as shown in Kneller's painti...

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

A wine glass rinser, rare because of the deep and beautiful red color. Wine rinsers or wine washers were used to cool or rinse wine glasses between courses of meals. Red was, by far, the least common color of glass in this period because of the expense in making since gold had to be added to the molten metal to achieve the color. This is a wonderful example in excellent condition. The height is 3 3/4 inches and the diameter is 4 5/16 inches. Polished pontil.

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

A fine and rare English Georgian period wine glass rinser, beautifully engraved with an armorial crest of a crowned leopard rampant. The rinser is in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks, or other flaws. It has a wide polished pontil and is 3 7/8" tall and 4 7/8" in diameter.

A beautiful and wonderfully proportioned antique Georgian cordial glass. The round funnel bowl tops a rare stem configuration of a double series air twist (DSAT) comprised of a pair of 7 ply spiral bands outside of a central pair of mercury corkscrews. The plain conical foot has a rough, snapped pontil. The glass is 6 1/2 inches tall, with a bowl diameter of 1 13/16 inches and a goodly foot diameter of 3 inches. The condition is superb, with no chips, cracks, or restoration, and the glass displ...

A fine and very uncommon opalescent stem double series opaque twist (DSOT) Georgian wine glass. The round funnel bowl is engraved with leaves and a budding rose on one side, and a shrub on the other. The stem has a pair of 11 ply spiral bands outside of a central corkscrew. Conical foot with rough, snapped pontil.

There are no condition issues or flaws in this glass. The height is 6 1/4", with a bowl diameter of 2" and a foot diameter of 3".

NOTE: The opalescent color is produced by i...

A superb, rare, and beautifully engraved English George II wine glass of lead metal. A drawn trumpet bowl tops a teared stem above a folded foot. The fine quality engraving shows a pair of rampant lions flanking the coat of arms of Amsterdam, on the reverse the Latin phrase Vivat Amsterdam (May Amsterdam Long Survive).

This wonderful example is 7 1/4 inches tall, with a bowl diameter of 3 inches, and a foot diameter of 3 3/8 inches. Condition is excellent, with no cracks, chips, or restoration...

A heavy baluster dram glass, displaying a truly "gutsy" presence; pointed round funnel bowl; rare ball knop, beautifully placed tear; rough snapped pontil. A weighty glass in perfect condition.

5 1/8" tall, 2 1/8" diameter bowl, 3 1/8" diameter foot

An extremely fine watercolor and gouache on organic substrate miniature portrait done by Henry Benbridge, painted in his crisp, realistic style. The sitter is attired in a blue coat and a white ruffled shirt and collar, the fabrics of which are carefully and richly depicted, a characteristic of Benbridge's work. The surround to the painting is gold, while the original case, with a pin on the reverse, is gold filled.

Both the painting and the case are in excellent condition. The sight size of t...

An extremely rare firing glass of drawn trumpet form. The bowl is engraved "The Friendly Hunt". The condition is excellent, with no chips, cracks, restoration or other problems. Lead glass with good color, striations, and tool marks. The height is 3 1/2", with a bowl diameter of 2 1/8" and a foot diameter of 2 1/4".

The Victoria and Albert Museum has a virtually identical piece, their catalog number C.2571925, and described the engraving as most likely referencing a Jacobite hunting club.

A striking miniature portrait painting on organic material, finely painted by John Ramage. The sitter, a gentleman elegantly attired in the height of late 18th century fashion, is wearing a white shirt with a ruffled white cravat and a brick-red coat over a brown-striped vest.

The condition of the painting is superb, with no flaws whatsoever, as is that of the later case. Sight size is 1 5/8" by 1 1/4", and the case size is 1 3/4" by 1 1/2". The case has the original pin on the back for use a...

A superb pair of miniature portrait paintings done by Joseph Dunkerley. Labels on the reverse of each case identify the sitters as Joseph Packwood and Denise Wright Packwood, and are dated 1780.

Mrs. Packwood is wearing a large white hat with a blue ribbon and accents, a light blue gown with flowers embroidered on it and with dark lace edging at the bodice. Her husband is wearing a blue jacket and waistcoat, and a white cravat.

Excellent and scarce examples, and in fine condition. The gold...

A fine portrait miniature, painted on natural wafer, by Julius Rubens Ames. The sitter is a gray-eyed gentleman of serious demeanor, attired in a black coat and vest with a white shirt and tie. Presented in a cast foliate case with a glazed aperture on the reverse. Also housed in a red leather, probably original, travel case.

The condition of the painting is excellent, with no flaws to speak of. The sight size is 2 1/2" by 2".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Julius Rubens Ames was born in Albany, NY ...

A fine miniature portrait, attributed to J.V. Sturgeon, showing a woman in a black dress with a sunset behind her. Presented in its original gilt foliate case with empty glazed aperture. Excellent condition with no issues to speak of. The sight size is 2 1/2" by 2", with an overall size of 2 5/8" by 2 1/8".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Sturgeon, active 1825-1835, is by no means a well-known artist in spite of having exhibited at the American Academy of Fine Arts in N.Y. He is also known to have work...

A fine miniature portrait, attributed to J.V. Sturgeon, of a gent posed in front of a green curtain with blue skies visible through the window. This type of setting is uncommon in American minis, but has been done by Sturgeon in some of his works.

The miniature is set in the original gilded copper pendant with a glazed aperture on the reverse containing plaited dark hair. Excellent condition with no issues to speak of. The sight size is 2 1/2" by 2", with an overall size of 2 5/8" by 2 1/8".

A miniature portrait by M.E. Mynerts (also referenced as W.E. Mynerts). Glazed and housed in a cast foliate case measuring 2 3/4" by 2 3/8", with an unglazed aperture on the reverse containing a braid of hair. The overall condition of the painting is excellent, with no cracks, chips, bowing, or restoration. The case is also in excellent condition.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Very little is known about Mynerts, and his miniatures are quite rare, with only one signed example found. However, his style...

A beautifully executed miniature portrait painting of a young gent, signed and dated "JH Kimberly Pinxt New York March 1844". It is in its original foliate cast case, measuring 2 3/4" by 2 5/16".

The miniature is in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks, bowing, paint loss, or restoration. (The blurriness in certain areas of the photo is due to light reflection.) The case is also in fine condition, with the reverse of it showing wonderfully engine turned work, and missing its surround an...