Catalog (971)

A fantastic Clarissa Peters (Mrs. Mose B. Russell) mourning painting of a baby and toddler. Peters chose a simple palette of white and bluish-gray to emphasize the ethereal and ephemeral nature of the painting, reserving the use of colors to the hair, lips, and eyes of the subjects. Known for painting children, Peters' mourning paintings are scarce, and double mourning portraits are exponentially rarer yet.

Adding to the importance of this piece is the velvet lined gutta percha case, which h...

A large gin bari cloisonne button depicting three snowy egrets against a background with shades of green, the whole with a silver surround and backing. When viewed from the side, the button has an intentionally undulating shape, making it highly unusual. The side is hallmarked and there appear to be other markings. Excellent condition with no issues, and any apparent imperfections are due to reflections in the photo. The diameter is 1 3/8".

NOTES:
1. Buttons of this type, a pure Japa...

A large and beautiful gin bari button showing lotus flowers against a purple background, the whole with a silver surround and backing. Uncommon scalloped shape. Excellent condition with no issues, and any apparent imperfections are due to reflections in the photo. The diameter is 1 1/4".

NOTES:
1. Buttons of this type, a pure Japanese creation, were primarily done in the late 19th century, and the subjects display the Japanese elegance and simplicity in depicting nature oriented themes,...

A fine miniature portrait of a pretty young child, done in watercolors on organic material by William Egley. The case has hallmarks for 9K London gold and a maker's mark for G.S. Both the case and the painting are in excellent condition with no problems. The size is 1 5/16" by 1 1/16".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: William Egley (1798–1870), was born in Doncaster, England, and moved shortly after to Nottingham. Originally working in a publishing house and bookshop, he had developed an interest in pai...

A fine example of a plique-a-jour button, all of which are uncommon (see Note 1, below), featuring translucent greenish-blue enamel in a gold metal surround and cells. Excellent condition with no issues. The color of the enamel is actually deeper than shown in the main photo. The diameter is 13/16".

NOTES: 1. Plique-à-jour (French for "letting in daylight") is a vitreous enamelling technique where the enamel is applied in cells, similar to cloisonné, but with no backing in the final pr...

A naïve portrait of a young man holding a book, done in watercolor, ink, and pencil. Although unsigned, every characteristic of J.A. Davis' work is present, from the materials used to the composition, to the painting technique. Similar to lot 834 at the Sotheby's 1/25/15 auction and to lots 119 and 120 at the Skinner 11/2/18 sale. .

Excellent condition with no tears, folds, or restoration. There is some light even toning which is very common with her works and does not detract from this gem o...

A very interesting and charming 1" enameled button showing a young woman with a basket of flowers looking at a butterfly that is about to alight on her hand. The scene is surrounded by an inner brass border. Between that border and the outer one are enameled sections with flowers. The condition is excellent with no problems.

A rare miniature portrait by Leopold Unger, painted with watercolors on organic wafer. The sitter, a very attractive blue-eyed young woman with brown hair done in sausage curls, has a wistful or slightly sad expression on her face and in her eyes. She is in a black dress with black lace edging at the bodice, and is sitting in a brownish-red chair, holding a red book, and with a multicolored scarf draped over her arm.

The miniature is signed "P. Unger. px. 1839" along the lower left. The bac...

A beautiful portrait miniature, done in watercolor on natural wafer. The sitter is a lovely young woman wearing a large and striking turban and a lace fichu over a light apricot dress. A brooch below her bodice echoes the circular motif on the turban.

Housed in its original bronze case with a diameter of 3 1/4". Both the case and the painting are in excellent condition. A striking addition to any7 collection.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Guido Reni was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, althou...

A fine example of early American folk art. Generally classed as fraktur type, paintings such as these were done by children, and were often, as this one was, painted on a page from a ledger or notebook. This particular piece is a charming depiction of a horse, and is housed in a period frame with a wonder crusty surface.

The painting is in very good condition, with good color, and no tears or creases. It does have some very common spots of discoloration which might well have been there since ...

A wonderfully detailed portrait miniature, on organic material, of a woman of substantial means, bearing, and physique. She is posed by a console table, and elegantly attired and bedecked with jewelry and an elaborate dress.

The portrait is signed on the lower right by Reinhold Krauss, a known artist listed in Thieme-Becker's "Artists of the World". Excellent condition with no issues.

Housed in a period wooden frame, the sight size is 4" by 2 7/8" and the framed size is 7 1/2" by 5 ...

A miniature painting done in watercolors on natural material, signed "C. Greiner along the left center. The sitter is a gentleman dressed in the clothing and hair style popular in the 1841 to 1844 period. Presented in a cast foliate case, the reverse being engine turned with a glazed aperture containing a braid of hair and engraved with the initials JLD.

The painting and the case are in excellent condition with no issues. Overall size of 2 3/8" by 2".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Christopher (or...

A wonderful example of a portrait miniature painted by Mrs. Moses B. Russell (nee Clarissa Peters). This work, done in watercolors on natural wafer, is of a blue-eyed woman wearing a black dress with a brooch centered at the lace-edged bodice. Her strong visage, looking directly into eyes of the viewer, is offset by a beautiful and soft multi-colored background. Housed in a cast foliate case with the reverse engraved "SAWC" and having a lock of hair in the glazed aperture.

The condition of the...

A mourning portrait miniature attributed to John Henry Brown of an attractive young woman with blue eyes and long curly hair. The painting is in excellent condition with no problems. The velvet lined leather case is also in excellent condition, with normal and expected light wear to the exterior. The white flecks in the photographs are dust motes, and not present in person. Sight size is 3" by 2 1/2", and the case size is 3 5/8" by 3 1/8".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: John Henry Brown (1818-1891), b...

An unusual and spectacular pair of portrait miniatures. Although both are signed by Moses B. Russell, it is almost certain, due to slight technique variances, that the portrait of the woman was done by Mrs. Moses B. Russell, nee Clarissa Peters. Although it is known that some of his signed pieces were, in fact, done by her, I know of no other instance where each artist did one of a pair.

The paintings are in excellent condition, with vibrant colors and no cracks, bowing, mold, retouch, ...

An extremely fine miniature portrait by John Henry Brown, done in watercolors on natural material. One of the best examples of his skill, showing an attractive woman, beautifully painted. Adding to the importance of this piece is that Brown used a trompe l'oeil technique in painting what appears to be matting around the portrait. Signed "J Brown Pinxt" lower left along the curved line of the matte. Inside the case was a piece of paper with information about the sitter: "Mary E. Mathias Lancas...

A beautiful c1840 miniature, painted on natural material by Thomas Seir Cummings. The sitter, a gray-eyed young woman, is in a pale pink off the shoulder dress, and is resting against a blue cushion. The reverse is inscribed in pen with an illegible name and "22 yrs". Presented in a bronze surround set into a burl wood frame. Excellent condition with no issues. The sight size is 3 1/2" by 2 3/4", with a framed size of 7" by 6 1/4".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Thomas Seir Cummings was born in Englan...

A beautiful French portrait miniature signed "Mie Bost" center right by Mélanie Bost. The sitter is a young girl in a white lace dress with blue ribbons at the shoulders, her hair parted down the center. Presented in a gold frame with a red glass over guilloche work surround, with small pearls to the exterior border. The reverse with a mother-of-pearl back and a gilt metal pin. Excellent condition with an overall size of 2" by 1 5/8" by 1/4" depth.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Melanie Bost (born ...

A c1840 portrait, attributed to Richard Morrell Staigg, of a handsome older gentleman with a stately presence. Shown in a 2 3/8" by 2" gilt metal case with a glazed aperture in the reverse.

Both the painting and the case are in excellent condition. The lower central section of the painting is not damaged, but was intentionally painted that way, possibly to indicate that the sitter has passed away.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Richard Morrell Staigg was born in England in 1817 and moved to the...

A lovely and ethereal miniature of a blond-haired, blue-eyed beautiful young girl. Signed center left "T.R. Manley 1900", it is in its original gilt sterling case with a beaded edge, with the reverse appearing to be evenly tarnished. Excellent condition with no problems, and measuring 3 1/4" by 2 3/4".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE : Thomas Rathbone Manley (1853 - 1938), later referred to as "The Dean of the Montclair (NJ) Artists". Originally studying law, he realized his love was painting and enr...

This is a rather large portrait miniature done in body color and watercolor on ivory. The signature on the lower right is "P(or T)ouktuz Sta??er". The signature and attire indicate the painting was probably done by an Eastern European or Russian artist. The subject of this 19th century work is an attractive young girl from a wealthy family, based on the expensive clothing (the fur coat, gloves, hat, and boots).

The condition of the painting is excellent, with some scattered black speck...

The title of this wonderful oil on canvas work by George Henry Story is "Daydreaming," and that beautifully conveys the feeling of the piece. A pretty young girl is sits on a ladderback chair with a pan of fruit she is peeling resting on her lap. At the right of the painting is a wooden cupboard displaying tableware. At the left the family bible and another book rest on a table which is covered with a flowered cloth. However, it is the window at the far left, and the gaze of the subject, pensive...

A beautifully worked c1890 Japanese repousse tri-color silver button showing an ornate lotus blossom and foliage. Japanese hallmark on the reverse.  1 1/4" diameter and in excellent condition.   

A beautiful American ring, marked 14K gold, set with a large central pearl surrounded by 12 deep blue sapphires. Excellent condition with a ring size of 7 3/4.

This beautiful bracelet, marked 14K, features blue guilloche work, a gold filigree area with 2 small moonstones and a large central one surrounded by 11 sapphires and 2 garnets. A stunning piece with beautiful craftsmanship.

The inside of the bracelet measures 2 1/4" across and 1 7/8" high. Excellent condition with no issues.

Two sided pine game board with strong graphics and vibrant colors, displaying an unusual variant of the common structure of parcheesi. A checkers board is on the reverse side.

All original paint, original metal corners, overall excellent condition with a minor scratch on one side, and a wood chip in the top right on the reverse side. 23" by 23"

This beautiful purse, with a single large figure, measures 8 1/4" wide, and 9 3/4" long, plus another 2" for the wonderful 4 color twisted loop fringe.

It features a gentleman in colonial garb, holding a tri-corn hat in one hand and a staff in the other. He is standing on a path which leads to a cottage, surrounded by trees, and highlighted by a red roof, in the background. The setting is evening, with a deep royal blue sky dotted with stars The tiny beads used in this purse range in colo...

A large and striking carnival gambling wheel, painted in vibrant yellow, red, black, and blue. In overall excellent condition, and has a support post and spinner. All divider nails are present. 35 inches in diameter.

A superbly constructed copper weathervane of a three masted barque ship. The details and accuracy of this ship vane are amazing, with its multiple sails and rigging. This fine example was previously part of the collection at the Texaco world headquarters.

The ship, on a custom made stand, is 36" long and 32" tall, with a beautiful patina, is in excellent condition, with no flaws to speak of.

A heavily jeweled Austrian jewelry box lined in velvet; 4 3/4" by 3 1/4" by 3 1/4"

A heavily jeweled Austrian jewelry box, lined in deep green velvet, unusual in that there are even jewels on the legs; 5 1/2" by 4 1/4" by 3 1/4". Excellent condition.

A beautiful, elegant, and rare carpet motif micro beaded purse. The rarity of the purse comes from the use of an open field in a cream white with representations of four flasks. The field is surrounded by a triple guard (borders) of extremely detailed and intricate flower representations. Finely done carpet motif purses, as this is, are known to use beads of the smallest size, often far smaller than figural or scenic purses. The frame and chain are 800 silver.

The purse is 7 3/4 inches long (i...

A wonderful micro beaded figural purse from the 1st quarter of the 20th century. The scene shows two figures in 18th century clothing, the man serenading, with a mandolin, a woman seated in a chair in the garden. The same scene appears on both sides of the purse.

Complementing the multi-colored scene is a beautiful enameled and jeweled frame and a full four color fringe.

The condition of the purse, inside and out, is excellent, with no holes or tears. The clasp closes firmly and evenly. The ...

A beautiful and unusual Art Deco ring, marked 18K gold. The central section has a stylized floral motif, with the leaves, petals, and central section with diamonds. This section is against a background of blue enamel over a guilloche substrate, enabling a wonderful depth and scintillating appearance. Surrounding the central section is a border of diamonds.

This stunning piece of craftsmanship has no condition issues, with all original diamonds, and no restoration to the metalwork. The top of t...

This stunning twill silk scarf is titled "Brise de Charme." The noted artist and designer, Julia Abadie, did the graphics work for this, which was made in 1985. To my knowledge, it has never been re-issued.

With a background of a beautiful blue, it depicts, in marvelous detail and a rainbow of colors, a panoply of handpainted 18th and 19th century fans. As it should be, it is 90 cm square (35.4"), with handrolled stitched edges.

The scarf has never been used, and was only unfolded o...