Catalog (971)

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...

A very rare German mixed color twist of soda glass. Bell bowl with a solid base over a stem containing a white opaque twist multi-ply corkscrew surrounding a ruby thread, the whole with an entwined single air thread. 6 1/8 inches tall, 2 3/8 inch bowl diameter, 2 3/4 inch foot diameter.

Mixed twist glasses are as rare as color twist glasses, and the combination of both is an extremely uncommon and desirable construction.

A large and unusual double knopped multiple spiral air twist (MSAT) wine goblet of Low Countries origin. The generous bell bowl has a highly uncommon folded rim, and a solid base with enclosed tear, beneath which is a ball knop with multiple tears. Beneath this an inverted baluster knop surmounts the stem, all with the multiple spiral air twist. The foot rim has been polished at a point on the upper and lower surface, but with no loss of width or diameter, and retains perfect presence.

7" tal...

A beautiful pair of old Sheffield candlesticks with original removable bobeches. What makes these so rare and superb are the period old Sheffield silver peg lamps with their original burners.

Peg lamps themselves are not uncommon, but they are inevitably in pewter, glass, or brass. The only other Sheffield pair I have seen was is a book on early lighting, described as highly unusual and rare; 12" tall

A rare and fine multi-spiral opaque twist (MSOT) antique English wine glass or small goblet. The large round funnel bowl sits above a stem with a very tight and beautiful enamel twist. The stem is further complemented with shoulder and basal knops, a very unusual combination.

The glass is 6 11/16 inches tall, with a bowl diameter of 3 1/16 inches and a foot diameter of 3 5/16 inches. Rough, snapped pontil. No chips, repairs, or condition problems. Good color, tool marks, and striations.

This rare and fine pair of portrait miniatures were painted by John Porter in organic wafers. Each is signed "J.S. Porter 1824 Pinxt". The sitters are a well off husband and wife.

The condition of the miniatures is excellent, with no issues to speak of. Each is under glass, with card backing, gilt metal matting, and gilt foil edging. They are presented in a A.P. Critchlow & Co. case which still retains its original label and is also in excellent condition. Sight size of the paintings is 2...

An unusual and spectacular pair of portrait miniatures. Although both are signed by Moses B. Russell, it is almost certain, due to slight technique variances, that the portrait of the woman was done by Mrs. Moses B. Russell, nee Clarissa Peters. Although it is known that some of his signed pieces were, in fact, done by her, I know of no other instance where each artist did one of a pair.

The paintings are in excellent condition, with vibrant colors and no cracks, bowing, mold, retouch, ...

A very unusual James Pennington bowl with a shaped rim. The painted scene depicts oriental buildings, with the reverse showing rockwork and a variety of odd trees. The interior rim of the bowl has a blue border with stylized flowers or fruit.

The bowl is in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks, paint loss, or restoration. The enamels are a deep, rich blue. The diameter is 4 3/8" and the height is 2 1/8".

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...

It is very unusual to find a true set of 18th century lead glass English roehmers, even in the green color which is the most common. To find this deep and beautiful amethyst color set was truly exceptional.

The glasses have large cup bowls on hollow blown stems with applied raspberry prunts, and collars on the upper portion of the stems. The conical feet have applied trailings, and rough snapped pontils.

The glasses are about 4 1/2" tall, with 2 1/2" diameter bowls and 2 3/4" diam...

From Lancaster, PA.; each with the birth date and age of the sitter; strong attribution to Jacob Eichholtz based on style and area found; sight size 14" by 10"

This shaving box is a truly wonderful and unusual piece of Americana, and was used to hold and sharpen razors. It was not a common household object, and not many survived from the 18th century. Nina Fletcher Little discusses these charming boxes in her book, Neat and Tidy, and shows a similar example. This particular example is made from birch, and has chip carved saw-tooth edges, and, on three sides, scribed designs. It has three sliding compartments, and also, amazingly, still retains it...

A wonderful and rare southern folk art small watercolor on paper portrait of a gentleman, identified as Mr. Bunning on the reverse, along with the date of 1824. Examples of southern folk art are quite uncommon and highly sought after. This fine example was found in Florida, and the presence of a palm tree and water in the background, along with a classical style column, indicates that it was done, in fact, somewhere along the southeastern coast of the U.S

The figure of the man is very nicely r...

A rare miniature portrait, on natural organic material, painted by Thomas LeClear. The sitter is a young man with dark brown hair and eyes, staring almost directly at the viewer. He is dressed in a black coat with silk trim, a black tie, and a white shirt. On the reverse, the painting is signed "Painted by Thomas Le Clear in Buffalo 1842".

The miniature is in excellent condition, with no bowing, chips, cracks, or restoration. It is housed in a thermoplastic case, also without issues. The sigh...

A rare portrait miniature on organic wafer, painted by W.E. Mynerts (also referred to as M.E. Mynerts), depicting a rosy-cheeked young man wearing a black jacket and tie, and a white collar and shirt. The backing paper indicates that the sitter is Solomon Mills. Research into the name unearthed an obituary from the New Orleans Times of January 23, 1876 (4th photo below) which shows that Mills was born in MA in 1815, and had lived in New Orleans from 1836 until his death.

Housed in a cast foli...

Painted in watercolor on natural wafer, this is a lovely portrait of an attractive young woman. The sitter, with a mass of reddish-brown curls and light brown eyes, is attired in a white dress with a restrained ruffles. She is not wearing any jewelry or other adornments, and is presented simply against a white background. Clearly, Lovett has done this intentionally, along with painting this is a smooth, wash style, rather than the much more common stippling, in order to emphasize her pale beauty...

An extremely fine enamel on copper miniature portrait painting done by William Prewett (Prewitt). The sitter is an older gentleman, of quite aristocratic bearing, wearing a powdered wig, white shirt and stock, and a reddish-brown jacket. The painting is in its original gold bezel case.

Condition is excellent, with no issues. The discoloration at the top is due to scanner reflection. The sight size is 1 7/8" by 1 1/2", while the overall size is 2 1/4" by 1 5/8".

IMPORTANT NOTES:1. This piece ...

A wonderfully detailed portrait miniature, on organic material, of a woman of substantial means, bearing, and physique. She is posed by a console table, and elegantly attired and bedecked with jewelry and an elaborate dress.

The portrait is signed on the lower right by Reinhold Krauss, a known artist listed in Thieme-Becker's "Artists of the World". Excellent condition with no issues.

Housed in a period wooden frame, the sight size is 4" by 2 7/8" and the framed size is 7 1/2" by 5 ...

A striking c1790 miniature by Richard Cosway. The subject, a blue-eyed infantry officer with his hair en queue, is wearing a red jacket with a white epaulet, white trim, and cravat.

This portrait is a good study example as many of Cosway's techniques and style characteristics are present: use of floating transparent paints to allow the luminosity of the substrate to show through, enlargement of the pupils, massed hair as opposed to finer individual strands, a sky background using a stro...

A c1840 portrait, attributed to Richard Morrell Staigg, of a handsome older gentleman with a stately presence. Shown in a 2 3/8" by 2" gilt metal case with a glazed aperture in the reverse.

Both the painting and the case are in excellent condition. The lower central section of the painting is not damaged, but was intentionally painted that way, possibly to indicate that the sitter has passed away.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Richard Morrell Staigg was born in England in 1817 and moved to the...

A superb miniature portrait, done en grisaille on organic substrate, by Samuel Andrews. The sitter is an attractive woman with an elaborate wig and hair style, and wearing a cap and gold earrings. The painting is wonderfully executed, and with such skill that there is a three dimensional effect. The photos do not at all due it justice.

The painting is beautifully presented, surrounded by a gilt metal bezel, outside of which is a plait of hair, the whole in a red leather travel case. The condi...

A beautiful Samuel Cotes miniature painted in watercolor on organic wafer. The sitter was an officer in the First Royal Dragoons, first raised in 1661, making it one of the oldest cavalry regiments in British Army history. It served in many campaigns until 1969, when it was merged into The Blues and Royals.

The portrait is in a gold case which has been mounted on a 10K gold Victorian bracelet. The bracelet comes with its original blue silk lined leather case. The miniature, the case, and the ...

A fine naïve folk portrait profile of a gentleman, signed on the reverse by the artist Samuel Rowell. In the same hand is the location of Amesbury, Mass, and the name of the sitter, Moses Henderson.

The painting is on card, done in watercolor with gum arabic highlights, and is in the original gilded wood frame. An additional piece of glass has been put on the back to protect the written information.

The condition of the painting is excellent, with no folds, tears, or staining. There is a v...

A beautifully painted miniature on natural wafer of a very attractive woman. The sitter is in a white gown with lace edging, presented in a straightforward manner, unadorned with jewelry, preferring to let her natural beauty speak to the viewer.

There are no condition issues to speak of, with the darker area below her bust line intentionally painted in that manner. Housed in a red leather case without glazing, the size is 2 3/4" by 2 1/4".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Samuel Shelley (1750/56–1...

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 ...

A fine example of early American folk art. Generally classed as fraktur type, paintings such as these were done by children, and were often, as this one was, painted on a page from a ledger or notebook. This particular piece is a charming depiction of a horse, and is housed in a period frame with a wonder crusty surface.

The painting is in very good condition, with good color, and no tears or creases. It does have some very common spots of discoloration which might well have been there since ...

An elegant and very unusual wine glass with a double shoulder collar and a single basal collar. This form is accepted as being Scottish, rather than English, making it rarer. The funnel bowl has leaves and acorns engraved around the rim, the stem with a pair of spiral threads around a lace twists.

5 1/4 inches tall, bowl and foot diameter of 2 1/4 inches. Rough, snapped pontil. No damage, polishing, or restoration.

A true set of beautiful Irish wine rinsers or washers with comb fluting in an extremely uncommon oval shape, comb-fluted; bearing the label of DM & P Manheim, an old time, well-known and respected New York City dealer. 3 1/2" tall, 4 1/2" diameter

A beautiful set of four c1775 English wine glasses, engraved with a scene of horsemen, hounds, foxes, and a house, the lower part of the ogee bowls cut and the stems with facet cutting.

The glasses are 5 1/8" tall, with a bowl diameter of 2", and a generous 2 3/4" foot diameter. Condition is excellent, with no chips, cracks, or repairs. Good color and striations, and a rough, snapped pontil

A beautifully rendered watercolor and pencil portrait of a woman done by Jane Anthony Davis, more commonly known as J.A. Davis. The sitter, as was usual with Davis' portraits, is dressed in black, with color being reserved for decorative objects, such as books, flowers, or jewelry, as in this case. What is highly unusual is that Davis signed very few of her works, and on this piece, on the cardboard insert behind the painting, is written "Caroline Mathilda Brown Wife of Nicholas Brown". Beneath ...

A wonderful and charming pair of portrait miniatures by Moses B. Russell, housed in their original matching gold-filled engine turned cases, each with the sitter's hair in the reverse aperture.

The beautiful young woman, with blue eyes and dark brown hair, is wearing a royal blue dress trimmed with lace at the bodice. Signed on the backing paper "Painted by MB Russell 1843 This Paper to Stay On," and in pencil "Susan E. Cushing Taken When 17 years of age". The painting is in superb conditi...

A charming portrait miniature, done in watercolors on natural wafer, of a young woman in a low-cut blue dress with sleeves decorated with pearl buttons, and a sheer white fichu fastened with a black pin. Her black hair is covered by an elaborate white lace bonnet and she is wearing large gold earrings and a gold chain tucked into her sash. Presented in an ebonized frame.

The miniature is signed "R.C. Woolnough" and dated July 1816 on the backing paper. This is very interesting as there is ext...

A fine watercolor on natural wafer, done by Simon Jacques Rochard. The sitter, a rather sexy looking young woman with blue eyes is wearing a decollete black dress with a bow at the bodice, a white underslip, gold necklaces, and a black lace veil in her reddish-brown ringletted hair. This work is an excellent example typifying the "Romantic" genre popular at the time it was painted.

The condition is excellent, with no flaws to speak of, as is the condition of the later gold case. The sight size...

A strong watercolor miniature portrait on organic wafer done by Simon Jacques Rochard. The subject of the painting, a distinguished gentleman wearing a white vest, shirt, stock, and a black coat with The French Legion Of Honour medal. He is posed in front of a white column, with some foliage to the viewer's left.

Along the right side of the painting, Rochard has signed "Rochard Spa 1815". Clearly this was done at the same time he had been summoned there by royalty (see Note 3, below). Housed ...

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

A single series opaque twist drinking glass with an extremely gutsy presence. Single series glasses are rarer than double series opaque twists glasses, and this one, with its round funnel bowl, and opaque twist comprised of a multi-ply outlined corkscrew is a very strong example, with a large foot. 6 inches tall, 2 5/16 inch bowl diameter, 3 1/16 inch foot diameter.

A nice Georgian antique wine glass with a round funnel bowl. The stem is a single series opaque twist comprised of a pair of spiral gauzes. Single series twists are much less common than double series twists. Conical foot with snapped pontil.

The glass is in excellent condition, with no problems, displaying good color, striations, and tool marks. It is 6 1/4" tall, with a bowl diameter of 2 3/16" and a foot diameter of 2 3/4".

Note: Because of the extreme closeups of the photos, and the non-...