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...

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-...