Catalog (971)

A beautifully drawn miniature on natural organic material portrait painting, attributed to Thomas Hazlehurst. The piece has a somewhat ethereal feel to it, with the sitter, in a gauzy white gown, and wearing a double strand of pearls, gazing rather wistfully at the viewer. The portrait is dated 1805, and while not signed, stylistically it would most likely would have been done either by Hazlehurst or John Barry. However, Barry used a different color palette for shading, and his facial brush stro...

A beautiful Derby porcelain porter mug, probably painted by Daniel Lucas. The scene depicted shows two figures in the foreground, one of the famous aqueducts in the midground, and a castle and mountains in the background, all of which amidst fulsome foliage and trees. Elaborate and rich gilding surrounds the cartouche and continues on the reverse of the mug and on the handle.

The bottom of the mug says "In Italy", and has the painted red crown, D ,and swords The gilder's mark of "32" is at the...

A charming and beautifully painted landscape done by George W. Drew (signed lower right) in the early 20th century. The scene depicts a country path following beside a river and wending around a wooden house. Adding to this idyllic scene are ducklings on the path and a woman in front of one of the cherry trees surrounding the house, The wonderful luminosity that Drew is well-known for is apparent in this work.

The painting is 36" by 24", and the fine period frame is 43" by 31". Both the paint...

An absolutely charming painting, done in watercolor and gouache on organic wafer, of a male toddler. A label on the reverse states "J.C. Holt/at 1 yr./1831".

Housed in its original gold case, neither the painting or the case have any condition problems at all. The size is 1 3/4" by 1 1/2".

A charming painting done in watercolor on organic material. The child, identified as E.A. Brown (1845-1850) is portrayed against a pink and blue clouded background, indicative that this is a mourning memento. Paintings of young children are always highly sought after and collected.

The painting is in excellent condition, with no issues. The case is damaged on the back, with a section missing, which does not detract from the desirability of this little gem. The size is 1 5/8" by 1 1/4".

A superb example of a Worcester pickle dish with the "Two Peony Rock Bird" pattern with formal plant scrolls around the edge. The pattern is classified as uncommon, and the leaf form pickle dish is less common than the shell form. A workman's mark is on the underside.

The piece offered here is as fine as it could be, with no chips, cracks, paint loss, or restoration. The colors are vibrant with good contrast. Any areas of white, paint skipping, or faintness are due to reflections in the photos...

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 truly lovely and engaging portrait miniature, on natural wafer, of a beautiful young woman. The subject, attired in a green velvet dress with a black cape and a white fichu, is seated in front of an orange drapery with a view of a landscape. The framing of this gem is of fine construction, with an inner gold plated frame that is easily removable (and replaced) if a smaller overall size is desired. Both frames are in very fine order.

The condition of the painting is excellent, with bright col...

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...

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 beautiful creamware tureen and lid, probably Leeds, but possibly a Staffordshire factory. Of oval, quatrefoil shape with molded shell borders, scrolled handles, and a pomegranate finial, painted with turquoise and black enamel trim. An identical, undecorated example is shown in "Creamware and Other English Pottery at Temple Newsam House Leeds", item 331.

The overall condition of this wonderful example is excellent, with no cracks or chips. There was a highly professional and invisible restor...

An early Worcester patty pan with everted rim, carefully painted in blue with the "Bare Tree and Speared Bird" pattern. The pattern features an oriental landscape with a turreted single story building between a figure and a tree, within a diaper pattern pendent husk and scroll border. Workman's mark on the exterior base.

The condition of this piece is excellent, with crisp deep colors and no cracks, chips, or other flaws. The diameter is 4 3/16" (10.5 cm).

A charming and rare three-footed Bow porcelain stand. The top is marbleized in shades of blue, puce and yellow, while the the open latticework sides are surrounded by dragonflies, moths, butterflies, and beetles done in a variety of colors. This wonderful example is in superb condition, with no problems or restoration whatsoever, and has bright, unflawed painting. The stand is 2 1/4" high, and has a 2 5/8" diameter at its maximum width.

The standard reference book for this type figure is "Staffordshire Portrait Figures of the Victorian Era" by P.D. Gordon Hugh. The figure offered here is so rare that the book does not even show an example, although it does have information about the history underlying it. The same model is shown as figure 49, page 32, in Schiffer's "Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835-1875."

The figure, known as the "Death of the Lion Queen," is modeled as Ellen Bright standing with a leopard to her l...

A beautiful and elegant double series opaque twist (DSOT) cordial glass with a honeycomb molded round funnel bowl. The stem has a 12 ply spiral band around a central lace twist. 6 11/16" tall, with a bowl diameter of 1 7/8" and a foot diameter of 2 9/16". Rough snapped pontil, superb condition.

A fine miniature portrait painting, on natural organic material, done by John Alexander McDougall. The sitter is a distinguished gentleman dressed fashionably in a ruffled blue shirt, light blue vest, and black coat.

The miniature is in excellent condition, with no problems or restoration. The brass case is also without flaws. The photo of the back does appear to have blemishes, but these are label residues. Sight size is 3 1/4" by 2 1/2" .

MacDougall was born in New Jersey in 1810, and pri...

A miniature portrait painting by Abraham Parsell, done in his recognizable style with somewhat frizzy hair, and the sitter posed with his arm on a chair. Housed in its original cast foliate frame with a rear aperture containing a lock of hair.

The painting is 2 5/16" by 1 7/8", while the overall locket size is 2 1/2" by 2 1/8". Condition is excellent with no chips, cracks, bowing, paint loss or restoration.

Note: Abraham Parsell (1792 - after 1856), a popular American folk miniature painte...

A beautiful opaque twist cordial glass, the bucket bowl fulsomely engraved with fruiting grapevines. The stem, of the single series opaque twist type (SSOT), making it much less common than the usual double series, has two spiral gauzes. Conical foot with snapped pontil.

This gem is in excellent condition, showing good color, tool marks, striations, and appropriate foot wear. It stands 6" tall, with a bowl diameter of 1 13/16" and a foot diameter of 2 1/2".

Note: Because of the extreme close...

An excellent example of the work of David Gibson, signed, lower left, "Gibson 1793". The sitter is a woman wearing a gown with low decolletage and a green and yellow hat. She is posed looking pensively to the viewer's left.

The painting is in excellent condition, with no flaws to speak of, and is in a gilt metal pendant case. Sight size is 1 7/8" by 1 3/8", and the case size is 2" by 1 5/8".

NOTE: David Gibson (active 1788 - 1797) worked primarily in London and Edinburgh, with some sojourns ...

A fine pair of miniature portrait paintings, on natural organic material, housed in a 1/6 plate daguerreotype case, which is embossed in a cartouche on the front and back "M.B. Brady Case Maker NY". Cases by Brady are highly desirable and avidly collected.

As to the wonderful portraits, the first is of a bewhiskered gentleman in a black jacket, vest, and stock, and a white pleated shirt. The woman is attired in a black pleated dress with lace edging, and a white lace cap. It is highly probabl...

A striking antique wine glass with a solid base bell bowl engraved with a grape vine, leaves, and bunches of grapes. The stem has a multiple spiral air twist (MSAT) extending into the base of the bowl, and features a medial bladed collar. Conical foot with rough, snapped pontil. Fine color, striations, and tooling marks.

Condition is excellent with no problems, flaws, or restoration. The height is 6 5/8", a bowl diameter of 2 1/2", and a foot diameter of 2 3/4".

NOTE: On the relatively rare...

A wonderful portrait miniature of an attractive young woman, painted in watercolor and gouache on organic wafer. The sitter, set against a bluish gray background, has a tortoiseshell comb in her hair and is wearing a black dress with lace at the cuffs and at the neckline. Pearl earrings and gold chains complete her ensemble.

The painting is in excellent condition, with no flaws. The red leather travel case has wear to the inside and outside, is missing the tiny eye the hook clasp goes through,...

Hand painted on natural organic wafer, this button depicts a cherub beside a flame topped memorial column, with greenery along the border. Photos under different lighting are shown, with the second photo probably being the most accurate in natural light.

No condition issues, and a diameter of 1 3/8".

Absolutely charming, and a rare piece.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our collection. The buttons shown on our site represent but a small sample o...

A fine watercolor on vellum painting of an aristocratic woman. The sitter, a blue-eyed blonde powder haired woman who is coquettishly toying with a long lock of her hair, is gloriously decked out in a very low cut white gown with a red shawl. The gown is partially held up by a long strand of diamond and gold jewelry with a matching bracelet on her left arm. Farther up that arm the sleeve of the gown is cinched by a diamond and pearl brooch. A pearl bracelet circles her right arm.

A label on p...

A beautifully painted c1810 miniature of an attractive woman, attributed to Thomas Hargreaves. Clearly well off, and  wearing a white lace bonnet and collar, a black dress, and a chatelaine, the sitter is posed on a red sofa in front of a dusky pale orange drapery. The skill of the artist is evident, even to how he carefully painted the dress material so that it is obvious that the fabric is silk.

Watercolor on organic wafer, the condition is excellent, with a sight size of  3 3/8" by 2...

The graphic impact of this blanket box with paint decoration is absolutely stunning. It is swirl decorated in black over a yellowish-putty color, and virtually all the paint is intact. Adding to the special nature of this piece is its dainty size, measuring 31 inches long by 15 1/4 inches deep by 13 1/2 inches tall. Further, the box has a molded base, and an ogee molded edge around the top. The wood is poplar, often used in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The construction shows wonderful dovetailing with...

A nicely painted miniature portrait, on natural organic material, of a pretty young woman in a blue dress with a white fichu. Condition of the painting is excellent, with no problems. The glass in the rear aperture of the case is cracked. Overall size is 2 3/4" by 2 1/4".

An ornate and huge Bohemian antique glass goblet of baluster form. The round funnel bowl is cut all over with hexagons, the top row of which forms round arches. The elaborately worked stem contains two flattened knops, each cut with roundels, and a truncated inverted baluster knop cut with hexagons mirroring the bowl. A total of about 12 merises surround the knops.

This rare glass is in perfect condition, and stands an extremely tall 9 5/8 inches high, with a bowl diameter of 3 5/8 inches, and...

An uncommon and fantastic button featuring an interior 18th c scene painted on fabric, after an engraving by Jean-Francois Janinet from a painting by Nicolas Lavreince titled Ha, le joli petit chien". Brass surround and back. Excellent condition with no issues at all. Very large with a 1 3/4" diameter.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our collection. The buttons shown on our site represent but a small sample on what we have, so please do not hesitate ...

A choice antique wine glass example of a cordial glass with a pointed round funnel bowl atop a stem with a double series opaque twist (DSOT) composed of a multi-ply spiral band surrounding a pair of heavy spiral threads; the proportions of this glass are exceptional, with the bowl being quite small; conical foot with rough, snapped pontil. The foot has an extremely tiny bruise on the underside edge, which is not visible from the top and only can be seen if you look very closely when the glass is...

A totally charming miniature painting of a child, done in watercolor on natural material, and housed in an elaborately molded 15K gold case and surround. The cute sitter is in a white gown and posed against a cloud-filled blue sky, with foliage and a tree to the right. The reverse of the case is glazed, with a lock of hair in the aperture, and a pin so that the miniature can be worn as a brooch.

The condition of this lovely example is excellent. Sight size is 2 1/4" by 2 1/8" and the case size...

A beautiful Longton Hall bowl, decorated with polychrome flowers, most likely done by the Trembly Rose painter. Very fine condition with fresh colors, no cracks, paint loss, or restoration. The diameter is 4 3/8" and the height is 2".

A finely painted watercolor portrait of a good looking gentleman wearing a black jacket and a white shirt, stock and collar. The talented artist specifically painted the entire piece in shades of white, black, and gray. Note the way he used white highlighting on the left collar and shoulder of the sitter to give a sense of depth to the piece.

The back of this work deserves special mention as it is composed of a backing of metal guilloche. (Guilloche is a decorative technique in which a very pr...

A superb in-period Kangxi scalloped dish with two Long Eliza figures and a Jumping Boy figure in the central scene. Immediately surrounding that scene the cavetto is divided into compartments, each with a flower head motif. Surrounding that are further compartments, each containing a different stylized botanical speciman. The reverse of the dish with a full Kangxi mark in the center Surrounding that, in raised compartments, are floral depictions, and outside that a border of various symbols.

...

A beautiful and striking gold bangle bracelet having a black enamel ground. The raised central dome has 8 emeralds surrounding a higher area topped with a gold 8 leaved flower with a diamond.

Marked 14K gold, and with fine workmanship, the bracelet is in excellent condition. The inside of the bangle measures 2 1/2" by 1 5/8".

An elegant and beautiful English ratafia DSOT (double series opaque twist) glass. Ratafia glasses are quite uncommon, and this is fine and exceptionally tall example. The elongated narrow conical bowl is above a double series opaque twist stem with a pair of three-ply spiral bands outside of a pair of corkscrew tapes.

The glass is in perfect condition with no chips, cracks, or restoration. The proportions are excellent, with a height of 7 1/2 inches, a bowl diameter of 1.7 inches, and a g...

Meet Captain William Hathaway, of Brooklyn NY, who passed away in 1834, according to the original section of his obituary, which was found inside the case of the miniature. Please note the gold anchor centered on his ruffled shirt.

The painting is finely done, with no condition issues. Any apparent flaws are due to my poor photographic skills. The in-person brightness is about midway between the first two photos. The cast foliate frame is also in excellent condition, measuring 2 3/8" by 2...

A miniature of a beautiful young child who unfortunately passed away in 1798. The theme here is blue and white: in the clouds, in Harriet's eyes, and the ribbon in her hair. In contrast to that are the small areas where red makes its appearance: in the necklace, the child's lips and cheeks, and, to a lesser extent, in her hair.

The reverse of the case is engraved "Harriet Franklyn/B. 9 Oct 1795 D. 31 August 1798/Daughter of/Richard Franklyn/One of the Moneyers/of H. Mint, of Oxgate/Will...

A superb and beautiful Zwischengold wine glass with a slightly flared conical bowl with a solid base. The bowl sits atop a stem with a shoulder merise over a cushion knop, below which is an inverted baluster section above a basal knop. The bowl has a gold and red medallion pressed within 2 layers of glass. The glass is 5 3/4 inches tall, with a bowl diameter of 3 1/8 inches and a foot diameter of 3 1/16 inches.

Zwischengold is a technique where thin layers of gold foil are trapped in a double ...

A wonderful pair of miniature portraits of two young near identical twin boys, painted on organic material. Although it might often be a decent bet that any attractive English portraits of young children done in this time period were by William Egley (joking, sort of) I cannot, in good conscience, make that attribution, so the artist will, at least for now, remain unidentified.

Possibly Scottish, and in excellent condition, each portrait has a sight size of 1 7/8" by 1 1/2". They are mou...

A fine example of an Abraham Parsell watercolor on organic wafer. The sitter, with brown hair and hazel eyes, is dressed in a black coat and cravat and a white shirt with gold stickpin. The background is done in the multi-color style typical of Parsell's work, as is the sketch on the reverse of the wafer.

The 2 3/8" by 2" sight size miniature is housed in a cast foliate case with a glazed lens on the reverse. The condition of the painting is fine, with no cracks, chips, restoration, or bowing....

A powerful watercolor on wafer miniature, where the artist decided to show the sitter staring head-on and almost directly at the viewer. The unusual crisscross tie is used to further enhance the strength and immediacy of the handsome subject.

The simple gilt metal case is 2 3/8" by 2", and is in excellent condition, with a missing cover glass to the aperture on the reverse, which is of no import.

A wonderful double sided smalt trade sign for D.M. Woodward, Doctor of Chiropractic. The gilded letters and the black smalt background are virtually intact and vibrant. The frame is original, and measures 28 3/4 inches by 14 inches by 2 inches deep. There is a small sliver out of the frame at one upper edge, and a small gap in the frame at the corner. Aside from these very minor flaws, the piece is in excellent condition.

A beautiful and very early 18th century bizarre silk fragment, from a chausable of the period. Vegetal and flower motifs in polychrome silk, silver and gold thread on a salmon ground, the entire piece mounted on cotton. Excellent overall condition, with some expected oxidation of the metallic threads. The panel itself is 28" in length, and 9 3/4" at its widest. The mounted size is 30 1/4" by 11 1/4".

Note: Bizarre silks are a style of figured silk fabrics popular in Europe in the late 17th a...

A very fine and rare Bow porcelain chocolate cup with the "Golfer and Caddy" pattern. The cup of tall "U" Shape with a strap handle. The interior with a wavy border, the handle with a flowering plant, and the base with a "2" workman's mark.

The overall condition is excellent, with only an invisibly done museum quality repair to a small interior rim flake. This wonderful example looks much better in person than the photos show. Cup height is 2 7/8" with a 2 3/4" diameter.

A beautiful and uncommon Bow porcelain coffee cup done in the famille verte style, loosely depicting flowers in green, red, and blue. A workman's mark is on the bottom.

The condition is superb, with bright clear colors, and with no chips, cracks, paint loss, or restoration. The cup height is 2 3/16" and a diameter of 2 1/8".

A finely potted Vauxhall porcelain saucer, painted in the highly desirable "sticky blue". The scene features an Oriental person waving, amidst a landscape with buildings, trees and hills, with birds flying overhead.

This wonderful example is in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks, paint loss, stains, or restoration. The diameter is 4 1/2".

A fine c1751 miniature watercolor on natural wafer, signed and dated by J. Lacon. The sitter is wearing a décolleté white dress and a lace underslip. The trimming of the blue ribbons provides a pop of color and wonderful contrast to the rest of the painting. Presented in a gilt metal reeded frame with remnants of collection labels on the reverse. 1 7/8" by 1 1/2".

Lacon (fl. c1740 - 1760) worked in Bath, England, painting miniatures and water color portraits. He also owned a popular pup...

A striking and colorful R. Mills miniature portrait of a blue-eyed blonde woman. The subject is wearing a white gown with lace edging and balloon sleeves, a blue necklace and sash belt. Those colors nicely complement the carefully chosen background, which is blue with pink tinges, which also complements her ruddy or over-rouged cheeks.

The painting is signed on the backing paper "Painted by Rd Mills Birmingham 1829" and is housed in a 4 1/4" by 3 5/8" bronze frame. The painting itself mea...

A charming portrait miniature that can be strongly attributed to the highly thought of artist Francois Dumont (1751-1831). The sitter is an attractive young woman wearing a white dress tied over a blue shirt that is accented by the blue ribbon in her hair. The overall diameter of the fabric-backed brass frame is 2 1/8".

A very similar work by Dumont is coming up at a European auction house in December 2022, with an estimate of 1500 Euro, not including premium.

Provenance: From an...

A beautiful miniature portrait of a young man, done by William Egley. The painting is in a stickpin mounted elaborate gold case, with engraving on the reverse identifying the sitter as "John McDonnell Webb/August 1839". A plait of hair is in the glazed rear aperture.

Both the painting and case are in excellent condition, with no issues. The spots in the photos are due to external dust. Sight size is 1 5/8" by 1 1/4", with an overall size of 2" by 1 5/8".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: William Egl...

A strongly painted portrait miniature of a gentleman, rendered in watercolor on organic wafer. The sitter is a good-looking chap with blue eyes and fulsome sideburns, attired in a black jacket and cravat, a white collar and ruffled shirt, and a gold chain. He is identified by engraving on the reverse of the case as J.A. Reed.

Aside from being a fine example of miniature portraiture, the cast foliate case, which tests as gold, is highly unusual in that it hinges from the bottom, allowing easy...

A fine example of a triple knopped double series opaque twist (DSOT) antique wine glass. The bell bowl is over a stem with a pair of 3-ply spiral bands outside of a central gauze, and with a flattened shoulder knop, a medial knop, and a basal knop. Conical foot with rough, snapped pontil.

The vast majority of opaque twist glasses have straight stems, and the addition of even one knop adds substantially to the difficulty of making them, and to the value. Each additional knop increases these f...

An exceptional ladder back Delaware Valleycahir with 4 slats, original red wash and splint seat, and well developed turnings.

The chair is in excellent original condition and structurally sound. As to be expected there are some losses to the splints. The height is 43", with a width of 20" and a depth of 18". The seat depth is 16" and 18 1/2" high.

A wonderful example of a Dr. Wall, or First period, Worcester small bowl, thinly potted and pencilled (painted with a very fine brush) in black with the "Boy on a Buffalo" pattern. The buffalo is standing by a large tree at the water's edge, sampans off the shore, with a bird, other foliage, and a building in the scene. A flower is on the interior bottom. A workman's mark is on the bottom, as is a label from when this item was displayed at the 1998 Albert Amor Exhibition of the Vincent Townrow C...

An excellent example of an uncommon form, a Lowestoft hand painted butter boat, showing two houses on an island and with a lattice border on the leaf-shaped piece, and with an angular stalk handle. Retains the label of Rod Jellicoe, a well-known dealer in English porcelain.

The condition is excellent, with bright colors and no chips, cracks, paint loss, or restoration. 2 1/4" long by 2" wide.

A fine and elegant double knopped multiple spiral air twist (MSAT); bell bowl, conical foot; 6.1" tall

These wonderful painted (some outlining is printed) plaques were done in the Staffordshire area of England in the late 18th century. They are 6 1/2" long and 4 1/2" wide. Each depicts a classical head in profile. It is uncommon to find a pair, especially in such wonderful condition. There are no chips, cracks or repairs of any kind, and the painting is vibrant and unscratched.

A true gem of a purse frame made of 800 silver with approximately eighteen carats of good quality well-matched real amethysts. 5 1/2" wide

An English wine glass with a waisted bucket bowl above a single series air twist stem containing twin spiral cables. Conical foot. The height is 6 3/8 inches, the bowl diameter is 2 3/8 inches, and the foot diameter is 2 1/2 inches.