Catalog (971)

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...