Catalog (971)

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...

An extremely rare and striking c1754 Chelsea cup and saucer. The bell bowl with loop handle features a bird on a leafed branch, with several insects around the girth of the cup. The saucer is similarly decorated.

The overall condition is excellent, with clear and bright colors. Both pieces have the red anchor and stilt marks. The saucer is 5" in diameter, with the cup being 2 1/8" in height. 

A c1800 miniature, reasonably attributed to George Place. The silver shoulder belt plate indicates that the sitter was an officer in the 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment of Foot, c.1800 - 1810. The single epaulette on the right at this period shows he was an Ensign, Lieutenant, or Captain. The framed size of this piece, in its later frame with fabric backing, is 2 5/8" by 2 1/8". The white area at the top of the photo is a reflection.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Although his date of birth is not kno...

A fine and early English saucer showing a Chinese man with a bird. Done in blue and white, lot 303 of the Bonham's sale of the famous and important Watney collection showed this same pattern and identified it as being William Reid porcelain.

The saucer is in excellent condition and is 4 7/8" in diameter.

NOTE: William Reid & Co. were porcelain makers in Liverpool between 1756-61. Their factory was situated on Brownlow Hill where a bone-ash porcelain was produced.

A superb and early spread base mug example of the Worcester "Walk in the Garden" pattern. Although Branyan, in his book "Worcester Blue and White Porcelain 1751 - 1790" indicates the date range for this pattern to be 1755 to 1765, the lovely pale grayish-blue color of the decoration and the presence of a scratch cross mark on the base would place manufacture of this mug (or tankard) several years earlier, making this a truly exceptional piece. In addition to the incised line on the base there is...

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 good c1770 British miniature portrait of a older gentleman, with the artist having cleverly displayed the wrinkles of age. He is dressed simply in the style of the time, wearing a wig, a white stock, and a gray coat.

The condition of the painting is excellent, and the papier mache frame is also in good condition but with a nick at the top right edge. The sight size is 2 1/2" by 2", with a framed size of 4 5/8" by 4".

NOTE: For those of you who are new to collecting portrait miniat...

A c1795 continental miniature of a gent who looks somewhat disgruntled, possibly with the waistcoat with blue polka dots and the black jacket with pearl buttons that his wife picked out for him. The reverse of the painting has a "B" embroidered on pink silk fabric. Both the front and back have beveled glass. The diameter of the gilt metal case is 2".

A fine example of a four knopped double series opaque twist (DSOT) antique wine glass. The bell bowl is over a stem with a pair of spiral threads outside of a central gauze, and with an annular knop and three ball knops. 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 factors. Also, unlike many ...

A fine and uncommon blue and white Liverpool Delft plate depicting a heron and fenced garden. The 9" plate is in fine condition, with some minor, common, and expected fritting at a few places along the rim.

A fine 17th century French tapestry table runner, with the motif weaving flowers and fruit throughout the piece. The overall condition is excellent, with no holes or tears. Carefully laid down on a linen backing. The length is 67" and the width is 13 3/4".

Acquired from a long time private collection, where it was used as a table display piece, but could certainly be used, in smaller segments, to make a number of exquisite pillows.

A very early and rare miniature, enamel on copper, done circa 1690-1700 by Peter Boy the Elder (1651-1727). The sitter is Johann Wilheim II. He was Elector Palatine (1658–1716) of the Wittelsbach dynasty and was Duke of Neuburg (1690–1716), Duke of Jülich and Berg (1679–1716), and Duke of Upper Palatinate and Cham (1707–1714). From 1697 onwards Johann Wilhelm was also Count of Megen. Clearly a busy and well titled fellow.

The miniature is in its original gold mount on a 19th c...

A charming miniature portrait by Susan Penelope Rosse, executed in gouache on gesso-washed vellum or card. The sitter is a sweet looking girl with long hair, wearing a blue gown with white lace edging at the bodice. The case for the miniature deserves special mention, being a flip type made of testudines shell with gold mounts.

The painting is in quite fine condition, with no issues, as is the clever case. The sight size is 1 3/8" by 1 1/8".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Susan Penelope Rosse (or Rose) ...

A fine example of a textile fragment from a 17th century chausable, purple cut velvet in a geometric vine design on a yellow background, mounted on silk. Overall fine condition, with a sight size of 18" by 18 1/2".

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 fine in-period Kangxi saucer with two dragons. The reverse with a Ming dynasty mark which is not uncommonly found on legitimate Kangxi pieces.

Excellent bright, vibrant condition with no problems at all. (The lightness of the double line border at the lower part of the photos is due to reflection, and is not paint loss or fading.) The diameter is 4 1/2".

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.

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A charming in-period Kangxi octagonal saucer with 5 figures of women, each playing a different musical instrument. Fully marked on the reverse, with foliage outside the double line encircling the marks.

Bright, vibrant colors and glaze, with no condition problems at all. The diameter is 5 1/2".