Catalog (971)

An interesting portrait miniature, by William Baldwin, of a nattily attired gent. The sitter, with a very rakish look about him, is set against a bright blue background, has long thick hair, a soul patch, and is wearing a stickpin with multi-colored jewels. These are motifs, along with the use of a strong blue background, that seem to appear in a number of his minis, as uncommon as they are. In all, a strong and amusing painting, and possibly conjuring up visions of a Mississippi River gambler.

A fine c1790 portrait miniature of a woman with a somewhat serious demeanor, wearing a white fichu with lace trim, her powdered hair beneath a white bonnet with blue bows. The painting is in a period gold bracelet clasp frame. Excellent condition with an overall size of 1 5/8" by 1 1/4".

A c1753 rare and highly desirable Chelsea Raised Anchor Period octagonal tea bowl painted by Jeffrey Hamet O'Neal (also spelled Jefferyes Hammett O'Neale and other variations). Highly detailed and beautifully decorated with a man standing by a barrel, and two other men with some kind of measuring stick. A building and foliage are in the background. There are 4 insects arrayed around the exterior of cup while the interior has a central flower spray, leaves and a butterfly.

Raised Anchor war...

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".

An American portrait miniature of a woman with strong features and striking presence. Excellent condition, although the photo came out somewhat blurry. A card with illegible writing was inside the traveling case which measures 4" by 3 1/8" when closed. The sight size is 2 5/8" by 2".

A nice c1814 example of a Frederick Buck miniature of a woman in a blue dress. The backing of the mini has "Caroline ??? 1814". Presented in what might be the original frame, which measures 4 3/4" by 4 1/8". The sight size is 2 3/4" by 2 1/8". Excellent condition.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Frederick Buck, the younger brother of Adam Buck, was born in Cork in 1771, where he had a thriving practice as a miniaturist for an extended period. During the Peninsular War (1808 - 1814), when Cork was a bu...

An English wine featuring a pointed round funnel bowl with a solid base above a short plain stem section above a ball knop topping a four-sided molded pedestal stem. Lead glass. Conical foot with folded rim. Rough pontil.

Fine condition with no issues, standing 5 3/8" tall with a bowl diameter of 2 3/8" and a foot diameter of 2 1/2". Good color and striations. The glass has museum and collection labels and marks on the foot, all easiy removed if desired.

Deaccessioned from the Bennin...

An extremely fine depiction of an older woman, attributed to Charles Jagger, done in watercolor on natural wafer. Jagger was known to draw with a high degree of accuracy and talent, especially in the faces of his subjects, and that is certainly the case here. Also note the way the lace edges and the satin dress are highlighted. The condition of this 3 1/8" by 2 1/2" work is excellent, as is that of the period 5 1/4" by 4 5/8" wood frame.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Charles Jagger (c1770 - 1827)...

A wonderful and special Worcester Barr Flight Barr campana vase with snake handles, beautifully painted with a scene marked on the base as "Ruins of Bayham Abbey Church." The reverse of the scene with a salmon ground and having detailed urn and foliage gilding. The rim of the body proper and the top of the supporting column with faux pearls. The bottom also inscribed with "Barr Flight & Barr Worcester Manufac' to Their Majesties."

The vase is 6" tall and 6" wide across the handles. Conditi...

A striking miniature portrait by Johann Christian Schoeller. The sitter is a girl child, dressed in purple, with a basket of flowers on her lap and posed in front of a window showing a landscape. Charming and colorful, this is an fine example of Schoeller's work. Presented in a period bronze frame, with an overall size of 3" by 2". The reverse has a label and a backing paper with the artist's name. Excellent condition.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Schoeller (1752 - 1851) was born in Alsace, traine...

A delightful c1908 miniature painted by Mildred E. Walker (listed in Who's Who of American Art as having worked in New York.) The young child has a mass of red hair, brown eyes, and is dressed in a blue blouse. The reverse of the gilt metal case identifies the sitter as "Spiky/Aged 3 years/October 1908." Artist signed along the left edge "Mildred E. Walker 1908."

The case size is 3" by 2 3/8". The condition of the painting is excellent, with the case having some wear and oxidation on t...

An English wine glass featuring a pointed round funnel bowl with a solid teared base above a short plain stem section above a ball knop topping a four-sided molded pedestal stem. Lead glass. Conical foot with folded rim. Rough pontil.

Fine condition with no issues, standing 5 1/2" tall with a bowl diameter of 2 3/8" and a foot diameter of 2 5/8". Good color and striations. The glass has museum and collection labels and marks on the foot, all easiy removed if desired.

Deaccessioned from...

A striking and colorful R. Mills miniature portrait of a blue-eyed blonde woman. The subject is wearing a white gown with lace edging and balloon sleeves, a blue necklace and sash belt. Those colors nicely complement the carefully chosen background, which is blue with pink tinges, which also complements her ruddy or over-rouged cheeks.

The painting is signed on the backing paper "Painted by Rd Mills Birmingham 1829" and is housed in a 4 1/4" by 3 5/8" bronze frame. The painting itself mea...

A well executed miniature of an English gent. The reverse of the painting identifies the sitter as Thomas Sheppard, painted by W. Bate in 1802. Presented in an unusual gold painted frame with the miniature displayed in the diagonal direction. The condition of the miniature is excellent, with the inside rim of the frame having a "ding" at around 2:00 o'clock. Sight size is 2 7/8" by 2 3/8" with an overall size of 4 1/2" by 4 1/2".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: There is not much known about William B...

A rare and signed portrait miniature by Charles Byrne. Done in an almost impressionistic style, the sitter is a blue-eyed woman simply presented in a white gown with fur trimming along the top edge. She is posed against a gauzy white background with blue tints to complement her eyes.

The miniature has a sight size of 2 1/2" by 2" and is in excellent condition. The backing paper of the painting has the following artist and sitter identifications: "Painted by / Ch Byrne / 1801 / Mary Lambor...

A nice English c1795 miniature of a gent wearing a white shirt and ascot, with a red waistcoat and black jacket. The reverse of the gilded metal case has a a central fabric section set into an opalescent surround over guilloche work. Excellent condition with an overall size of 2 5/8" by 2 1/8".

A portrait miniature of a young and handsome man unabashedly directly facing the viewer. He is dressed in the height of fashion, wearing a black jacket, light orange cravat (which nicely matches his hair), and a white vest. Presented in a gilt cast foliate case, the reverse of which features a glazed tightly woven field of plaited hair.

Because of the convex glass, the photos unfortunately show reflections, white streaks, dots, and shadows, none of which are in the miniature. The overall...

A striking American rendering of a handsome gentleman, nattily attired in a black jacket and tie, and with a patterned vibrant blue vest. In a 2 3/4" by 2 1/4" gilt metal cast foliate frame with a glazed aperture on the reverse.

A wonderful and uncommon Worcester Scratch Cross period high-footed silver form sauce boat of desirable small size. This charming piece has a scroll handle with an upturned thumb rest, the body molded with scroll panels painted with "strutting birds" near a triangular fence and flowering rocks.

The length, including the handle, is 6 1/2 ", the width is 3 1/4", and the height is 2 1/2". Superb condition with vibrant colors and no flaws.

An uncommon c1840 miniature by Richard Morrell Staigg, signed lower right. The sitter is a blue-eyed young woman, simply posed in a black dress with lace edging at the bodice. Presented in 1/2 of a dag case. The sight size is 3" by 2 1/4".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Richard Morrell Staig was born in England in 1817 and moved to the U.S. in 1831, first settling in Newport, RI. While there, Staigg studied under Jane Stuart, Gilbert Stuart's daughter. He then moved to Boston where he maintained a stu...

Considering all the feathers and foliage, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a bird actually living in the mass of ostrich feathers, flowers, and upswept hair of the blue-eyed sitter. This late 18th century miniature is in excellent condition and is presented in a 1 5/8" by 1 3/8" gold bracelet clasp.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Francisca Efigenia Meléndez y Durazzo, sometimes given as Francisca Meléndez de Múquiz (1770–1825) was a Spanish miniaturist and pastellist. She was the daughter of J...

A beautiful, extremely rare, and early First Period Worcester coffee cup and saucer, each piece finely molded with fluting resembling pleats. The small, bell shaped cup has a crisply molded triple scroll handle with a pronounced thumb rest and a full blown rose in the inside. Both pieces have a strap-fluted ground reserving embossed rococo cartouches edged with scrollwork and leaves in purple and green enamel, the principal panels painted in bright puce with European landscapes including a ruine...

A fine c1751 miniature watercolor on natural wafer, signed and dated by J. Lacon. The sitter is wearing a décolleté white dress and a lace underslip. The trimming of the blue ribbons provides a pop of color and wonderful contrast to the rest of the painting. Presented in a gilt metal reeded frame with remnants of collection labels on the reverse. 1 7/8" by 1 1/2".

Lacon (fl. c1740 - 1760) worked in Bath, England, painting miniatures and water color portraits. He also owned a popular pup...

A fine portrait miniature attributed to John Downman, although Charles Hayter is a secondary possibility. Simply attired in a white gown, and with powdered hair, the sitter is shown with a pensive and somewhat downcast expression. Presented in a gold frame, the glazed reverse having a plaited hair border and a hairwork wheat-sheaf with seed pearls on opalescent glass. The condition is excellent, and the overall size is 3" by 2 3/8".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: John Downman (1750 - 1824), born in W...

A fine miniature by Charles Dixon, signed "CD" and dated 1750. The subject is a gentleman with his hair tied back, wearing a blue coat, red waistcoat, and black stock. Presented in a gilt metal mount with bracelet clasp, measuring 1 3/8" by 1 1/8".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Information about Charles Dixon (fl 1748 - 1798) appears to be quite sparse, and there is not even certainty that his first name was Charles since those pieces he signed were done so with "CD". It is known that Benjamin Frankl...

A nicely done late 18th century miniature of a woman wearing a blue dress and white fichu, her powdered hair with an interwoven white ribbon. Presented in a gilt bracelet clasp mount. Excellent condition with an overall size of 1 3/8" by 1 1/8".

Nothing less than superb would describe the quality of this c1835 American portrait miniature. The artist, as yet to be identified, even went so far as to show the shadow cast on the cheeks of the sitter by the lower rims of the glasses. The sight size is 2 7/8" by 2", with the size of the modern black painted wood frame being 5 1/2" by 5".

A well painted c1800 - 1812 miniature of a British officer. The sitter is wearing the uniform of a major general, with a red tunic, blue lapels and collar, and gold epaulettes and buttons. The miniature is signed lower left, with a somewhat indecipherable calligraphic monogram of "RM"?. Presented in a gilt metal frame with a bevelled blue glass back. Excellent condition, with an overall size of 2 1/2" by 2"

A fine and early Bow porcelain pickle dish with a serrated rim and short stalk, painted in shades of blue with bamboo and peonies issuing from rocks, all surrounded by a low fence. Workman's marks in blue on the underneath.

The condition of this gem, which was part of a private collection for over 15 years, is all that one could possibly hope for and rarely finds, with no flaws whatsoever, and vibrant colors. Any skips or dullness in the photos are due to reflections. The width is 4" and the ...

A c 1840 signed portrait miniature by Gabriel Aristede Passot, done on natural material. As is usual with his work, it is superbly painted, and is of a gentleman in a black coat with a multi-colored merit award ribbon.

The miniature is in fine condition, with no chips, cracks, paint loss, or bowing. A light area along the top edge is due to light reflection. The case, of high quality silver with a royal crown and a mother-of-pearl reverse, is in excellent condition. Sight size is 1 5/8" by...

A fine Lowestoft porcelain strap-handled creamboat, the ovoid molded body with an undulating rim. Hand painted in a dark blue with the "Two Porter Landscape" pattern, which features two figures in a landscape with trees and birds. The reverse side, the interior center, the rim, and the lip all with floral sprays.

This particular example is particularly uncommon because of the small size, being almost an inch less in length than other examples. A "17" workman's mark is on the bottom rim. ...

A signed Hyacinthe Mercier miniature portrait, painted on natural wafer. The beautifully rendered sitter is a pleasant looking woman wearing a lace bonnet with lavender and light blue bows, and a dark blue robe or gown. "Mercier 1824" in script along the right side.

The painting is in excellent condition, with some rough edges which do not show while the piece is in its period bronze frame. Sight size is 2 3/8" by 1 7/8", with a frame size of 2 3/4" by 2 1/4".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Mlle Hy...

A wonderful example of a creamware dish made by Sewell and Donkin of Newcastle (St. Anthony's until 1819). The painted central scene shows a dying patient receiving his unction above the motto "T Oliesel" (Last Rites), and is surrounded with a colorful floral border. The reverse of the dish has the partial impressed manufacturer's name.

The condition of this 10" diameter piece is excellent, with good color, no cracks, chips, or restoration. Normal very faint, non-intrusive and expected cra...

A nicely executed miniature portrait painted on organic wafer by Thomas Hull. The sitter is a blue-eyed gent in a blue coat, frilled chemise, and white waistcoat. Presented in a gilt metal frame with a collection label on the reverse.

The condition of the painting and the frame are excellent, with no issues. The dark areas at the edges of the painting are due to light refraction in the photos and do not appear in person. The overall size is 2 3/16" by 1 3/4".

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Thom...

A beautiful Chelsea Porcelain Factory coffee cup and saucer in the highly uncommon and sought after spiral molded scolopendrium pattern form. Specifically, the cup has an iron-red undulating rim , and a spiral molded tapering body. The handle is of a notched scroll type with a raised central ridge, clearly influenced by Nicholas Sprimont (the first director of the Chelsea factory) and his prior experience as a silversmith. The body of the cup is fulsomely decorated with a variety of blooming flo...

An excellently painted miniature portrait of a gentleman, rendered by Thomas Richmond in watercolor on organic wafer. The sitter, with powdered hair, is attired in a black coat, matching waistcoat, and a frilled white shirt and stock.

Presented in a gilt metal frame, with printed interior scene on the reverse. The condition is excellent, with strong colors and no issues. Any white specks in the photo are dust motes. The overall size is 2 5/8" by 2".

It should be mentioned that Richmond sign...