Catalog (971)

A wonderful folksy American mirror featuring an original paint decorated frame with a red ground and black stripes. All original, including the glass and the backboard. Excellent condition, and with overall measuments of 16 1/2" by 12 3/4".

A charming first half 19th centrury miniature of a young woman. The exceptional thing about this piece is the wonderful high karat gold flip case with guilloche work (engine turning) on the front and back. The painting in this little gem is 1 1/8" in diameter and the case is 1 1/2" in diameter. Excellent condition.

A beautifully made heavy copper trivet of wonderful form. Pierced top, paw feet, and strong rivet construction. Excellent condition. 11 1/2" by 7 1/2" by 5 1/4".

A graceful stepped strap-handled pitcher of lead glass, featuring trailed threading at the rim, and engraved "RFE" with vines above ribbons, the reverse with flowering vines.

The condition is excellent, with no flaws to speak of. Good color and tooling. Snapped rough pontil. The height is 7 1/4".

A wonderful and amusing hooked rug depicting an aardvark. I have collected many rugs featuring animals but have never seen another with an aardvark. Well, at least I think this is someone's interpretation of an aardvark, or possibly a beaver, armadillo or pangolin. Whatever the craftsman was aiming for, one has to smile at this, and at the pinkish salmon background color surrounded by a scalloped teal border. Cotton yarn and with original burlap foundation.

The size is 43" by 30 1/2". The...

A fine 19th century miniature version of Gilbert Stuart's "Lansdowne" portrait, the iconic 1796 life size portrait of George Washington. The painting here is done in watercolor and gouache on organic wafer. From its origin until the present day many copies of the portrait have been made, but very few on ivory.

This 3 1/8" by 2 1/2" example is in excellent condition, with no issues. The 11" by 9 3/4" gilt over gesso frame is period and might be original.

NOTES: 1. The Lansdowne port...

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 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 charming rural scene, embroidered and painted on silk. Excellent condition with period frame. 15" by 12 1/2"

A tea cup, coffee cup, and saucer in Chamberlains Worcester pattern #153, gorgeously painted with roses and elaborate gilding. The bottom, of the saucer has an unusual gilded "P." mark.

The saucer has a 5 1/2" diameter, one cup is 2 1/2" tall with a rim diameter of 2 3/4" and a foot diameter of 2". The second cup is 2 5/8" tall with a rim diameter of 3 3/8" and a foot diameter of 2 1/4". Condition is excellent with no repairs or cracks. Some very minor tiny gilt losses. White areas in the pho...

Actually, this type ware is often mistakenly referred to as Leeds and featheredge. In reality, many factories other than Leeds made items of this nature, and the type edge here is more properly called a molded edge; elaborate raised tree and floral decoration; 10" diameter. Excellent condition.

A nicely diminutive chest from South Paris, Maine, as determined by the distinctive grain painting with the triple yellow-green-yellow striping around all edges; all original, including the vibrant and untouched paint, hinges, and lock (even the keyhole cover is still present); some minor and unimportant paint wear to the lid; 30" long by 14 1/2" deep by 12 1/2" high

An elaborate and beautifully wrought sampler of the "Tree of Life" or "Adam and Eve" type, showing the couple by the apple tree; verse, various symbols and depictions including deer, peacocks, trees, flowers; floral bush border; signed M. Baynes, Aged 11, 1811; new frame and acid free matting; sight size 12" by 12 1/4"; framed size 17 1/2" by 18 1/2"

Overall excellent condition with a few minor and tiny holes

This painting epitomizes all the characteristics one looks for in a folk art portrait, including the whimsy that is so delightful. Note the vibrant colors, unusual treatment of anatomical features (the shortened arm, for example), and embellishments such as the chair, bonnet, shawl, book, and sheet music. All of these add up to a wonderful example for any collector of American folk art, or just as a superb display piece.

The painting is oil on artist's board, and is in exceptional condition,...

This is an extremely unusual American 12 tube candle mold, made of tin and painted black. I have seen many candle molds in my time, but don't recall ever seeing one with the type decoration that this one has. The front and side have charming and whimsical squiggles of gold paint.

Overall condition is excellent, with the usual spots of paint loss and wear, and some nicks to the base. All the tubes are present, all the paint is original, and there have been no repairs. The base is stable ...

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...

This is a charmingly rendered watercolor on paper portrait of an attractive little girl, leaning against a hillock of red flowers amidst green foliage. The artist has chosen to omit details in the background, and, instead, draws the viewer's focus to the subject by limning her dress in a bright blue, and having her hold several flowers in her hand. The work possesses a whimsy and naivete that brings a smile to one's face, as good folk art often does.

Sight size is 6 3/4" by 5 1/2", and ...

A deep amethyst finger bowl with its matching undertray, rarely found, and in perfect condition; polished pontils

Bowl diameter, 4 1/2", bowl height 3", plate diameter 6"

This type ware is often mistakenly referred to as Leeds and feather edge. In reality, many factories other than Leeds made pearlware items of this nature, and the type edge here is more properly called a molded edge. This particular plate is marked with an impressed flower on the back. It has an elaborate raised tree and floral decoration.

10 " diameter, in excellent condition. with no chips, cracks, or other problems. It would could benefit and look brand new with a cleaning with hydr...

A nicely done American folk art watercolor on paper profile portrait. The young man is wearing a blue-gray jacket and a white lacy cravat. Housed in an old gilded frame with a newer interior velvet liner. Framed size is 7 1/4 " by 7 1/4", and the sight size is 2 5/8" by 2 5/8". Excellent condition with no problems.

A nicely executed, watercolor on paper, small American folk art portrait of a young woman. The subject is wearing a vibrant blue dress, and is holding a book as she sits in a chair beside a table with a vase of flowers. Fine detailing abounds in her jewelry, and the lace accents on her clothing.

The paper has some overall light toning and the painting is in excellent condition, with no creasing, tears, or stains. The cherry frame is period and might be original. Sight size is 9 7/8 inches by 7...

A beautifully done Pennsylvania Quaker sampler, featuring three sets of the alphabet, two bushes, an urn of flowers, birds and dogs, and the verse:

Let the most blessed be my guide
If it be his blessed will
Unto his vale into his fold
Up to his holy hill.

The sampler is signed Martha Graham Work Done in her 11th Year 182X. The last digit of the year was removed, as was often the case to hide the exact age of the maker.

Martha Graham was born in 1815, the daughter of Reverend Rober...

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 wonderfully rendered pottery Staffordshire portrait bust of the philosopher John Locke. The name is incised on the back of this piece. Raised on a faux marble socle, the figure is effectively modelled and strongly colored. The condition is superb, with no chips, cracks, restoration, inpainting, or enamel loss. The whitish lines on his robe were intentionally done to highlight folds. The figure is 7 1/2 inches tall and 3 1/8 inches in diameter.

Note: The round dark spots on the underside rim ...

A beautiful and unusually decorated porcelain teacup and saucer. This piece, made by one of the Staffordshire manufactories, features birds on the saucer and the cup interior, along with wonderfully painted morning glories, roses, and other flowers. Simply a charming item in superb condition, with no apparent wear.

This is a superbly rendered watercolor on paper attributed to Henry Walton. The name of the sitter, John Andrew Jenny, is written in pencil at the top of the painting, in penmanship not unlike Walton's.

Mr. Jenny is a nice-looking young man wearing a black coat, with highlights in gum arabic. The style of the coat and the cravat place this portrait in the 1841-1844 time period. This is consistent with Walton's development as an artist, when he began to paint the faces of his subjects with mod...

A beautiful and striking tall pair of brass push-up pulpit candlesticks with dish bases. Made in England, c1820. These elegant sticks have sets of scribed lines at intervals along the column, and wonderfully crafted joinings.

Excellent condition, with fully working slides. 17 1/2 inches tall, and a base diameter of 6 5/8 inches.

A fine and charming watercolor on paper portrait of a mother and daughter, the daughter with a book and an apple. Sight size is 5 3/4 inches by 4 1/4 inches, while the framed size is 9 5/8 inches by 8 inches.

The portrait is in excellent condition, although the photos exaggerate some very minor toning. The bird's eye maple frame, which is not new and might be original, is also in excellent condition.

A wonderful American folk art portrait of a Methodist minister painted by Ammi Phillips (1788–1865). The distinguished gentleman is sitting at a table, with his hand holding a pair of spectacles and resting on a Methodist hymnal. The finely rendered depiction of the large dominating figure with dark clothing emphasizes the gravitas of the sitter.

The painting is 32 5/8 inches by 27 1/4 inches sight size, and 37 7/8 inches by 32 3/4 inches framed size. The painting is in overall excellent co...

A rare crusie lamp with hanger, dating from the 1st quarter of the 19th century or earlier. The bowls of these lamps were filled with fish oil or mutton fat with wicks of peeled rushes. Crusie lamps were the precursors to Betty lamps and were generally made of iron or tin. To find one made of brass, and with its original hanger, is extremely uncommon.

The condition of the lamp and hanger is quite good, with normal evidence of wear. There is a 1/2" by 3/16" piece broken out of the very end of ...

A charming miniature portrait, on natural organic material, of a child, signed Mercier for Mlle Hyacinthe Mercier.

The painting is in excellent condition, and is housed in its original silver and embossed tortoise shell frame. The shell portion has two unimportant splits, visible at 6 and 9 o'clock in the photo. Sight size of this little gem is 1 7/8 inches by 1 1/2 inches, while the frame size is 3 3/8 inches by 3 inches.

Mlle Hyacinth Mercier worked as a miniaturist in Paris, living at 27...

A folky miniature portrait painting of a young man. With his stylish hairdo, high collar, and patterned vest, and pin, the gentleman exemplifies a dandy of the time. The blue hues in the background provide a striking contrast to the relatively monochromatic tones of the sitter.

The miniature is 2 3/8" by 1 3/4" and is housed in its original 2 1/2" by 2" brass case, which also has a lock of hair in the rear aperture. Condition is excellent, with no cracks, bowing, or paint flaking.

An extremely fine pair of American folk art mourning pictures. The paintings are watercolor and gouache (to highlight skin areas) on heavy stock or card. The oval format work shows a sad woman holding a hat with a dog at her feet. In the background are what appear to be a number of monuments. The round format shows two young girls with a dove in a cage and two others they have just set free. The doves symbolically represent the release of the spirit or soul. The atmosphere that the artist impart...

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 beautifully executed American watercolor on paper portrait painting of a woman. The sitter has auburn curls and is dressed in an Empire style dress with wide lace collar, a paisley bordered shawl, white turban, and matching pearl and gem brooch and earrings. All the details are very finely limned.

The painting is in excellent condition, with no creases, tears, fading, or restoration. Sight size is 8" by 6 1/4", and the gilt molded frame size is 10" by 8 1/4".

An Abraham Parsell painting on natural organic material of a young man with his hand resting on a book. All the characteristics that make Parsell so sought after are present, from the folky treatment of the face, the frizzy hair, and the accessory point of interest, in this case the book. The sitter is Dye Brewer, of Edenton, Chowan county, NC, and this painting descended in the family to a direct relative, a Mrs. Morris of Houston, TX.

The miniature is in a beautiful, cast foliate, period lo...