Catalog (971)

This beautiful example is of large size at 1 1/4", and features a large clear central paste surrounded by 8 shaped green pastes, the whole encircled by clear pastes. The second photo more accurately shows the color of the green pastes. The back of the button is either silver or a base metal. In excellent condition with no issues.

Any whiteness or flecks in the photo are either light reflections or dust.

Provenance: Private purchase from the Speights Button Collection.

PLEASE NOTE: W...

A large and vibrant beaded purse in a geometric motif; 5 color fringe; 12" by 9 1/4" without including the fringe length

A charming petit point on silk purse, done in the tiniest of stitches, and showing a different scene on each side. On the front is a young woman feeding a chicken, the other side showing a swan in a lake with a fountain and castle in the distance. Both sides have a line of flowers surrounding the scenes, the whole against a pale gray lavender background. The gold colored frame is enhanced with interrupted sections of silver.

Displaying vibrant colors, the purse is in excellent condition, with ...

An absolutely charming hooked rug depicting a 3 masted sailing ship flying 4 different flags; mounted on stretched fabric over a frame; 36" by 24"

In very good condition except for a few minor pulls at the edges, whuch are easily and cheaply repaired.

A fine and unusual French lame silk shawl. Black shawls are considerably more common than the cream and silver of this example. Multicolored flowers at the corners and a silver medallion in the center combine in this striking design, which is enhanced by the silk ombre fringe on all sides.

The shawl is in excellent condition, with no holes, tears, stains, or missing fringe. There are some creases which can be removed with care. The size is 48" on all sides, with 18" fringes.

A beautiful handmade tablecloth and napkins set of Italian needle lace of Pointe de Venice type, with the characteristic scrolling floral patterns with additional floral motifs worked in relief (embroidered).

The condition is excellent, with no tears or other flaws of anything but minor note. The tablecloth is 106" by 70" and the 12 napkins are 21" by 21".

A beautiful set of 6 Art Nouveau studs or buttons, each with a bas relief image of a woman playing a lyre. They bear the hallmarks for Birmingham sterling silver, 1907, and the maker's initials, "R & W". Accompanying the buttons are the sterling silver cross pins that go through the rear loop. All these are housed in the original leather case with velvet lining.

The buttons are 5/8" in diameter, and in excellent condition. There is one cross pin missing. The yellowish cast in the close-up is d...

A beautifully executed oil on canvas painting by George Harland, a noted British artist. The scene depicts a man returning in a rowboat at dusk. It combines elements of luminism and impressionism, and was done when both of those styles were in fashion. Harland was a highly thought of painter and was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London in 1907.

The painting is in excellent condition, with no impainting or restoration. The superb, elaborate yet elegant, frame, which has some very minor rest...

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...

A Canton hand embroidered silk piano shawl with a vibrant design of large red flowers and a vine and leaf motif with multicolored smaller flowers set against a black background. The embroidery is of a superb and dense quality silk floss. On each of the four sides is a black elaborately knotted net "bridge" between the scarf and the long fringes.

This fine example is in excellent overall condition and measures 50" square with an additional 14" fringe on each side.

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".

A delightful c1908 miniature painted by Mildred E. Walker (listed in Who's Who of American Art as having worked in New York.) The young child has a mass of red hair, brown eyes, and is dressed in a blue blouse. The reverse of the gilt metal case identifies the sitter as "Spiky/Aged 3 years/October 1908." Artist signed along the left edge "Mildred E. Walker 1908."

The case size is 3" by 2 3/8". The condition of the painting is excellent, with the case having some wear and oxidation on t...

An interesting portrait miniature, by William Baldwin, of a nattily attired gent. The sitter, with a very rakish look about him, is set against a bright blue background, has long thick hair, a soul patch, and is wearing a stickpin with multi-colored jewels. These are motifs, along with the use of a strong blue background, that seem to appear in a number of his minis, as uncommon as they are. In all, a strong and amusing painting, and possibly conjuring up visions of a Mississippi River gambler.

Vibrant yellow with black freehand decoration. All original with very, very minor touchups to black. Signed Charles(?) H. Blanders, Putnam, NY?. 10 7/8" by 5" by 4 1/2". Excellent condition.

A pine lap desk, in original turkey red with yellow sponged decoration; probably PA; 13" by 11" by 6". Excellent condition.

A beautifully worked quilt with the "Star of Bethlehem" design, surrounded by stuffed-work flowers and vines; 87" by 81". Excellent condition.

A watercolor on paper of a little girl, holding a basket and flowers, in front of a group of buildings. Found in Lancaster, PA, and supposedly a painting of structures that still exist. Dated february, 1845.

Some minor creasing and spotting, which are much less obtrusive in person than in the photos.

An extremely folky and graphically strong hooked rug with vibrant colors, initialled KP and dated 1898;some minor and invisible museum quality restoration was done, and the rug was then mounted on acid free cloth and frame; a nice large size of 56" by 27"

A charming two-sided silk stitched purse depicting a suitor weaving flowers into his beloved's hair, with the reverse side showing a bouquet of flowers. The frame and chain are magnificent, with facet and slice cut pastes and faux pearls; purse is slightly soiled, but could be cleaned; 7 1/2" wide by 7" long

A nicely executed painting of Stephen Girard, capturing the inner essence of this important person. Excellent condition, and in a period gilt frame which is in very good condition. Sight size is 21 3/4" by 16".

Stephen Girard came to the United States, and Philadelphia, around 1776, and became one of the wealthiest men in the nation. He was well-known for his philanthropy, and founded Girard College. During the War of 1812, Girard was responsible for saving the U.S. from financial collapse. ...

A wonderful aide de memoir (carnet de bal) of brushed steel with gilded embellishments allowing a pattern of foliage to show through from the metal beneath. On the front, reverse painted on glass, is an extremely detailed scene of the Tuilleries, with the Louvre in the background. 3 3/4" by 2 3/8". Excellent condition.

A black lacquered lap desk or writing slope, with elegant, elaborate, and finely detailed gilt decoration, the center having a mother-of-pearl inlay; interior with what appears to be the original velvet lining, removable pen tray, and pewter topped ink bottle; 10 1/2" by 7 1/2" by 2 3/4"

A totally charming box from, and decorated in the style of, Snyder County, Pennsylvania; grain painted with gilt and gray highlights; polychrome stencil painting of fruit on top; terrific painted keyhole escutcheon; 9 1/2" by 6 1/2" by 5 1/4"

Top has scrapes and scratching, but 99% of the paint is still intact, and the uncommon nature of the overall decoration on this piece far outweighs the damage

A very well rendered watercolor painting on paper, of a Union officer. There is a large amount of background detailing, showing camp tents by a river, with the American flag flying. Superb condition. 8 1/4" by 6 1/4"

A striking and colorful painting on silk of a signet ring with, not surprisngly, the word "Signet" and the date 1870; period frame; 11 1/4" by 9 1/2" framed size, 8 1/2" by 6 1/2" sight size

A wonderful cutlery tray, probably of Vermont origin, made around 1840. What makes it so exceptional is the decoration, closely akin to "vinegar painting." Red paint was put on a yellow base, and a solvent added. This made the combination of colors run together, producing a somewhat mottled effect.

Another notable point is that the tray is in excellent condition, with no cracks or breaks. The paint is all original and untouched, with a nice dry surface. The wood used is pine, and construct...

A very fine twig basket, dating from the late 19th or early 20th century. It was found in Pennsylvania, and is painted black, with the border and edge decoration painted in green, yellow, and orange over the black. The interior central portion of the basket is painted in green.

The basket is 8 5/8" in diameter and 4" tall. Condition is terrific, with no breaks. There is the normal amount of scattered paint flaking which is not really apparent and does not affect the impact of this little ...

A fine antique still life, rendered in pastel and signed by the listed, famous and very collectible American artist William Henry Chandler (1854-1928). The fruits - peaches, grapes, plums and foliage are expertly portrayed by the hand of this American master.This type of Chandler is greatly sought after by collectors.

The artwork and the stunning original goldleafed wood antique frame are both in superb condition. Sight size is 12 1/2" by 8 3/4", and the framed size is 22" by 19".

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

A beautiful enamel on copper tiny coin purse in the form of a watch; marked Paris, and with a scene of the Place de la Concorde; 1 3/8" diameter

A charming watercolor on paper of a house amid a group of trees, signed "JDT" and dated 1896. Excellent condition. Sight size 8 1/4" by 5 3/4".

This is one of the most vibrant and spectacular splint baskets you are likely to encounter. The chrome yellow paint is complemented by the deep red wrapping at the top and on the wood handle. Found in Pennsylvania, it has a 9 1/4" diameter, is 6 3/4" tall not including the handle, and 11" tall including the handle.

The paint is all original with no loss, and the structural integrity is pristine, with no breaks.

A fine painted gameboard painted with red numbers on black squares on a brown background. This type of gameboard was supposedly used for playing checkers games by mail, using the numbers to describe the piece positions; also possibly used for teaching checkers; size is 29 1/2" by 21" by 1 1/2". Excellent condition.

A spectacularly decorated Lobmeyr goblet with a flared ogee bowl above a knop, all surmounting an inverted baluster stem with tear and panel cutting, terminating in a merise.

The bowl has beautifully executed Schwarzlot enameling depicting a hunting scene, with huntsmen, dogs, a horse, and a stag. The foot is also decorated with a stag, tree, and foliage. The edges of the rim and the foot are gilded, as are various accents on the stem.

The goblet is in excellent condition, with the only sli...

A rare and wonderful two sided micro-petit point purse made for a child. On one side is a depiction of an 18th century courting couple, under a tree by a river, with the man holding a mandolin serenading the woman. The reverse side shows homes along the river, and a sailboat. The purse is done in beautiful hues including pink, lavender, greens, etc. To further enhance this charming work of craftsmanship, there is a stunning enameled and jeweled frame.

Condition is superb, with no holes, pulls...

Aside from its elegant proportions and casting, this cast iron planter is exceptional because it retains a large portion of its original salmon and white paint. No breaks or restoration.

20" in length, 12" in width, and 12" tall.