Catalog (971)

A very uncommon and fine example of a tinque button with a blue base. No condition issues. In spite of the appearance in the photos, the edges of the gold foil are sharp and not blurred. This wonderful example has a goodly diameter for a tingue at 7/16" and a depth of 5/16".

NOTES: 1. Tingues are constructed with a layer of clear colorless glass with a very thin colored glass (typically red) sheet overlay on top. This piece is cemented to a glass base with a thin sheet of reflective gold foi...

A fine and early Worcester sweetmeat, the open shell curled over at one side, the undulating rim strongly shaded in green with a yellow inner border to the green. Painted in the Meissen style with a central flower spray surrounded by scattered smaller sprays.

Superb bright condition with no issues at all. The length is 4 3/4", the width 5 1/4", and the height 1 3/4".

NOTE: A similar dish, in a more common color, sparser painting, and with wear sold at the Bonham's sale in March, 2010.

A fine Georgian double series opaque twist (dsot) ale glass with an elongated round funnel bowl engraved with hops and barley, the stem with a pair of spiral threads outside of a lace twist. For a similar glass see Bickerton p.226, figure 683.

The glass stands 7 1/2 inches tall, with a bowl diameter of 2 3/8 inches and a foot diameter of 3 inches. Good color, striations, and tool marks, with a rough snapped pontil. Wonderful condition with no flaws or restoration.

A very fine example of an rare tingue, being of yellow color and cylindrical form. No condition issues. In spite of the appearance in the main photo, the edges of the gold foil are sharp and not blurred. The last photo shows this. This fine example has a diameter of 1/4" and a length of 3/8".

NOTES: 1. Tingues are constructed with a layer of clear colorless glass with a very thin colored glass (typically red) sheet overlay on top. This piece is cemented to a glass base with a thin sheet of ...

Signed J.J. and dated 1772 on the lower right, this watercolor on wafer shows an obviously well-off woman attired in the latest finery, and with an elaborate hairdo with a lace cap.

Excellent condition, with no flaws to speak of, and measuring 1 1/2" by 1 1/4". Housed, with a cover glass, in a velvet lined leather travel case measuring 2 1/2" by 2 1/4" when closed.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: James Jennings of London (active 1763 - 1793) exhibited at the Society of Artists from 1763 to 1783, and was ...

A beautiful Longton Hall bowl, decorated with polychrome flowers, most likely done by the Trembly Rose painter. Very fine condition with fresh colors, no cracks, paint loss, or restoration. The diameter is 4 3/8" and the height is 2".

A round facetted example of what can best be described as flying saucer shape, as seen from the side. Uncommon transparent red base. No condition issues. In spite of the appearance in the main photo, the edges of the gold foil are sharp and not blurred. The last photo shows this. This fine example has a diameter of 1/2" and a thickness of 1/4".

NOTES: 1. Tingues are constructed with a layer of clear colorless glass with a very thin colored glass (typically red) sheet overlay on top. This p...

A round facetted example of what can best be described as flying saucer shape, as seen from the side. No condition issues, and with a diameter of 3/8" and a thickness of 5/16".

NOTES: 1. Tingues are constructed with a layer of clear colorless glass with a very thin colored glass (typically red) sheet overlay on top. This piece is cemented to a glass base with a thin sheet of reflective gold foil or leaf between them. The button is faceted to improve reflection.

2. Tingues are nam...

A fine example of polychrome painting on enamel with cut steels, depicting a woman on a berry picking outing. The front of her dress is picked out with gold flecks, which do not photograph well. This button belongs to the genre which arose due to the interests of the increasingly wealthy French middle class in the places and ways people enjoyed their leisure. Note the buildings in the background, indicating that the activity is taking place outside the bustle of the city.

No condition problem...

A fine example of French polychrome painting on enamel with cut steels, depicting the cherubic infant Cupid holding a bird. During the Victorian era images of Cupid or cherubs were widespread, symbolizing the romantic and sentimental interests of the time. No condition problems, and the cut steels are brighter in person than the photo shows. 1 1/16" diameter.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our collection. The buttons shown on our site represent but ...

A fine example of polychrome painting on enamel with cut steels, depicting a couple fishing. This genre arose due to the interests of the increasingly wealthy French middle class in the places and ways people enjoyed their leisure. No condition problems, and the cut steels are brighter in person than the photo shows. 1 3/8" diameter.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our collection. The buttons shown on our site represent but a small sample on what we ...

An extremely large, beautiful, and fine English wine glass, elegant in its simplicity. The bucket bowl sits above a stem of the double series opaque twist type, which has a pair of spiral threads outside of a central gauze.

Conical foot with a rough pontil. Good color and tool marks, with no condition issues. The height is 7 5/8", with a bowl diameter of 3" and a foot diameter of 3 3/8". Glasses of this size are quite uncommon in this period.

Hand painted on natural organic wafer, this button depicts a cherub beside a flame topped memorial column, with greenery along the border. Photos under different lighting are shown, with the second photo probably being the most accurate in natural light.

No condition issues, and a diameter of 1 3/8".

Absolutely charming, and a rare piece.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell our collection. The buttons shown on our site represent but a small sample o...

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 true tour de force of the use of pastes in buttons. This fine example is of large size at 1 1/4", and features a sprig of flowers in a circlet mounted on cobalt glass. Visible beneath the glass is guillochet worked metal. 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 reflection or dust.

Provenance: Private purchase from the Speights Button Collection.

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons...

A nicely painted miniature portrait, on natural wafer, of a fashionably attired gentleman. The sitter is wearing a white shirt and stock, a black coat with velvet lapels, and a gray vest with black polka dots. Presented in a period, and possibly original, ebonized frame.

No cracks, chips, restoration or other condition issues. Sight size is 2 1/2" by 1 3/4", and the frame size is 4 3/8" by 3 3/8".

A large gin bari button depicting flowers against a green background, the whole with a silver surround and backing. Uncommon hexagonal 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, with asymmetr...

A very fine Wedgwood jasperware button showing three women in classical garb with a child astride a sheep. Uncommon for both the scene and the dark blue ground color, rather than the usual Wedgwood blue. Dating from the 4th quarter of the 18th century, the button is incised "WEDGWOOD" and "255" with a later mount, which is not uncommon.

Excellent condition with no issues of note, and of a very large size at 1 5/8".

PLEASE NOTE: We collected buttons for many years, but have decided to sell ...