Catalog (971)

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...

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 stunning miniature portrait painting, watercolor on natural organic material, of a beautiful young girl with hazel eyes. The artist has painted the sitter with a background of clouds against a blue sky, often thought to denote that the piece was done as a mourning keepsake.

The condition of the painting is excellent, with no chips, cracks, bowing, or restoration. This little gem is housed in its original cast bronze brooch, with a mother-of-pearl backing. The sight size is 1 5/8" by 1...

A beautifully executed miniature folk art watercolor on thin card portrait by J. H. Gillespie, housed in a cast foliate metal locket with an aperture on the reverse.

The condition is excellent, with no issues whatsoever. The reverse of the case is lacking the surround and glazing to the aperture.

Note: Gillespie was active on the East Coast of North America, Baltimore, New York, and Philadelphia around the 1829-1838 time period. Gillespie painted miniature portraits and silhouettes very c...

A nicely done miniature portrait, on natural organic material, of an attractive young woman. The sitter is wearing a white dress, a black necklace and earrings, and an upswept hairdo. The painting is housed in its blue velvet travel case, with a glass cover.

Condition is excellent, with no problems. The sight size is 2" by 1 1/2", and the closed case size is 3" by 2 1/2".

A rare and wonderful American doll or child's bench, with a shaped crest rail over 3 spindles and a plank seat, with 6 turned legs. The crest rail and the seat are decorated with polychrome free-hand flowers. Those areas, and the splayed arms, spindles, and central leg also have gilt line borders or decorative motifs.

Because of the delicate nature of this form, and the fact that not that many were made, it is highly uncommon to find surviving examples in any condition, let alone one as beauti...

A beautiful and charming portrait on porcelain, painted, and signed on the reverse, by the well-known English artist, William Corden. The sitter is a young girl in a pretty white dress trimmed in blue, with matching shoes and necklace. She is seated in front of a red drapery, holding a basket of flowers, with several scattered by her side on the chaise-longue. signed on the reverse. Mounted in a period, and probably original, gilt over gesso frame.

The sight size of this gem is 6 1/4" by 5 1/8...

A fine watercolor folksy miniature portrait painting. The sitter is a nice looking young gentleman dressed in a black coat, patterned white vest, white shirt with stud, and a black stock tie. Housed in its original red leather travel case.

Excellent condition, with no cracks, bowing, or other problems. The sight size is 2 5/8" by 2".

An American miniature portrait painting, on natural organic material, of an older woman, unusual in that the subject is directly facing the viewer, and her image fills practically the entirety of the painting. The sitter has brown eyes, brown hair done in sausage curls, and is wearing a white lace cap and ruffled collar.

The artist was clearly well trained, and chose an overall palette of muted somber tones to emphasize that this was not just a pretty picture of a client, but was a character...

A fine American miniature painting on natural wafer of a hazel-eyed woman, dressed in a white bonnet and fichu. Original locket gilt metal case has a plait of hair in the aperture on the back of the case.

Superb condition with no problems. The locket is 2 3/8" by 2", and the sight size of this little gem is 2 1/4" by 1 7/8".

A well painted miniature portrait on natural organic material of a sea captain, identified on the reverse as "Phillip…MHK Captain". The miniature is in very good condition, with no cracks, chips, bowing, or restoration. The period lacquered frame is missing its cover glass, easy enough to replace. Sight size is 2 7/8" by 2 3/8", and the frame size is 5 1/8" by 4 3/8".

A finely done miniature portrait painting on naturalk organic material, depicting an handsome gentleman wearing a black coat, white shirt and collar, with a stickpin.

The painting is in superb condition, with no problems or restoration. It is housed in its original case of cast foliate brass with the reverse having a glazed aperture. The case and glass are also in excellent condition, though the reverse has several unimportant dents.

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".

A striking and strongly limned Andrew Plimer miniature portrait of Edward Buller Hicks, of the Royal Navy. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1812, and this portrait was most likely done at that time. In a later ebonized wood frame which nicely complements the piece. Both the painting and the frame are in excellent condition with no issues. Sight size is 2 7/8" by 2", and the framed size is 6 3/4" by 5 3/4".

Provenance: Elle Shushan and then to a NY collector.

Notes: 1. Edward Buller Hicks wa...

A finely painted miniature portrait, watercolor on natural wafer, of an attractive young woman. She is wearing a black dress, a white and pink fichu with a brooch, and a lace collar.Original case with a glazed aperture on the reverse. This fine example was part of the well-known sale of the Paul and Barbara Carpenter collection.

The sight size is 2 3/8" by 2".Aside from a small chip to the edge of the cover glass, the condition of the painting and case is excellent, with no issues. The white f...

A beautifully painted and gilded English jug, probably Minton, of large size. Done in shades of blue, greens, and reds, it depicts a large lotus tree on one side, and foliage and flowers throughout. The main items in the painting are outlined with gilding, which is also prominent of the handle and spout.

Condition is superb, looking factory fresh, with no cracks, chips, restoration, or paint or gilding loss. There is a pattern number on the bottom. Height is 7" and the widest part of this pie...

An extremely fine antique English porcelain coffee can, of flared form, made by the Chamberlain Worcester factory. The cup features a beautiful bouquet of flowers and stunning gilding on the borders, the entire interior, and the entire handle. It is fully marked with painted red script on the bottom. The handle is quite unusual and uncommon, not even appearing in Geoffrey Godden's book on Chamberlain Worcester.

The height of the can is 2 1/2", the top diameter is 3", and the foot diameter is ...

A very nicely done naive watercolor of a gentleman, housed in its original embossed brass frame. The painting has had no restoration and has no tears or losses. sight size is 2 1/4" by 1 3/4", and the framed size is 3 3/4" by 3 1/8".

A beautifully executed miniature portrait painting, on natural organic wafer, signed and dated, lower left, "Legenvre 1813". The sitter is a nice looking young gentleman with curly hair and hazel eyes, wearing a dark blue coat, white shirt and ascot, and pink edged vest.

Condition is excellent, with no cracks, bowing, or restoration. A popular miniature painting format of the time was round, and it was not uncommon for the artist to do the painting on a rectangular wafer, and then do "artist...

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 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...

An extremely well painted miniature portrait of a very handsome young man. The sitter is dressed in the traditional black coat and cravat, white shirt with a high stiff collar, and a stickpin. The portrait, on natural organic wafer, is housed in a 14K or higher gold case with a glazed rear aperture showing a lock of hair. Condition of the miniature and case are excellent, with no issues at all. Sight size is 2 1/8" by 1 3/4", and the locket size is 2 1/4" by 1 7/8".

A charming and well limned naive miniature portrait painting on organic wafer. The sitter is a nice-looking young man attired in a black coat with brass buttons and the lapels with blue embellishment. Hi has a white shirt and stock, a high collar, and a yellowish gray vest. Housed in a cast foliate case with a rear glazed aperture containing cross-braided plaits of hair.

Condition is excellent, with no cracks, bowing, paint loss, etc. The case condition is also excellent. Sight size is 2 5/16...

A charming small watercolor on paper painting of a young boy wearing a naval uniform and holding a flute, which is used to pipe the hours. Period bird's eye maple frame with period backboard.,

The painting has even light toning and is in excellent condition, with no folds, tears, or restoration. Sight size is 8 1/8" by 6 1/2", and the framed size is 11 3/8" by 9 3/8".

A beautiful set of three emerald green roemers with cup bowls, applied prunts of the stem, and folded feet and polished pontils. Condition is excellent, with no chips, cracks, or restoration. The height of each is 4 7/16", with a bowl diameter of 2 1/2" and a foot diameter of 3".

NOTE: The price given is for the set of 3, but each can be purchased separately.

An exceptionally wonderful example of this well-known and highly collected historical Staffordshire scene, with the added bonus of being in the very rare form of a shaped tray. This piece is 10" in length and 5 3/4" in width,with the impressed Clews mark on the reverse. The condition is superb, with deep rich color, high clarity, sparkling glaze, and no chips, cracks, scratches, or restoration. It is as fine an example as one could hope for.

The full title of the scene is "Landing of Gen. La...

A French portrait miniature of a woman done in watercolor on natural material. The sitter, clearly a woman of means,is dressed in au courant fashion in an elaborate white lace hat, a blue ribbon at her throat, and a white lace fichu over her blackish green dress.

On the backing of the painting is written in ink (at the time the painting was done) in French, the name of the sitter "Antoinette Francoise Garison," some other information, and that she was born on September 20, 1773 (see photo #4)...

A fine American miniature portrait of a young woman with sausage curls, wearing a lace cap and fichu, with a black dress with black dots. The watercolor painting is done on natural wafer, and enclosed in a period cast bronze foliate case with a glazed aperture on the reverse.

The miniature has no chips, cracks, or bowing. The painting slipped slightly in its case when I scanned it, but this is easily adjusted. Sight size is 2 1/4" by 1 7/8", while the case size is 2 3/4" by 2 1/4".

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 very nice watercolor painting on natural wafer. The sitter is a beautiful young girl with hazel eyes and brown hair, simply dressed in a bluish gray gown with lace edging at the bodice.

The painting is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, bowing, or restoration. The original pressed brass frame with wood backing, and has some dents and a crease, which do not take away from the appearance. Sight size is 2 3/8" by 1 7/8", with the framed size being 3 3/4" by 3".

A pair of black papier mache wine bottle coasters, each beautifully hand painted with a colorful bird within a red and gilt cartouche. The form is quite rare, with more common versions made of silver or silver plate. Because of the date, and the quality exhibited in these, it is quite probable that they were made by Jennens and Bettridge (fl. 1815-1864), the English firm most respected for this type work.

The coasters are 6 1/4" in diameter and 1/2" in depth. Overall condition is excellent, wi...

A fine John/Jane Pennington Liverpool porcelain creamer of helmet form painted in blue with a bird and floral motif. The elaborate handle and the leaf-molded lower half of the body add to the appeal of this charming piece.

The condition is excellent, with bright, clear color, and no chips, cracks, staining, or restoration. The cream jug is 5" in length, 4" in height, and 2 1/4" in width.

An uncommon and striking bowl in a deep Bristol blue color. The top rim is scalloped, the sides are step and panel cut, and the underside of the foot is radial cut. Excellent condition with a 5" bowl diameter and a 4" foot diameter.

An unusual family grouping of three miniature portraits on organic wafers. All pieces, clearly done by the same hand (as yet unidentified), have a wonderful "feel" to them and are cleanly executed. The reverend in his black non-liturgical clothing, his wife in her black dress with white lace and cap, and their beautiful daughter, posed beside a tree and attired in a high-waisted gown with a blue ribbon and wearing a tortoiseshell comb in her hair, are set against a blue sky background. An old in...

A striking and nicely painted oil on canvas pair of American portraits. The sitters (by family repute) are Hendrick Henry Lasher (1788 - 1843) and Hannah Sharp (1793 - 1851) of New York.

Painted in a straightforward, stark style, the artist has deftly used dark tones for the clothing the background, focusing the light and the viewer's attention on the faces.

Condition is very good, with no holes or large amounts of restoration. The paintings having been relined and the period frames touched ...

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 very fine miniature of a young lady, done in watercolor on organic wafer. Signed lower right "Becker Px". The sitter is a wearing a gown with elaborate bows along the neckline and sleeves, and a pink sash. The glassless gilded wood frame is original to the painting.

There is a good amount of information on the back, some of which is missing or hard to make out. However, what can be determined is that this is a portrait of Julie von Haller, who was a member of the court of the Homburg Landg...