Catalog (971)

A beautiful and very early 18th century bizarre silk fragment, from a chausable of the period. Vegetal and flower motifs in polychrome silk, silver and gold thread on a salmon ground, the entire piece mounted on cotton. Excellent overall condition, with some expected oxidation of the metallic threads. The panel itself is 28" in length, and 9 3/4" at its widest. The mounted size is 30 1/4" by 11 1/4".

Note: Bizarre silks are a style of figured silk fabrics popular in Europe in the late 17th a...

A very nice English Georgian wine glass with a round funnel bowl, the lower half being molded with flutes. The stem is of the double series opaque twist type (DSOT) and is comprised of a pair of multi-ply corkscrews outside of a pair of spiral threads. Conical foot with a snapped pontil.

Excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. Good color, striations, and tool marks. Normal and expected wear to foot. The height is 5 5/8", with a bowl diameter of 2" and a foot diameter of 2 7/1...

An uncommon English firing dram glass with an ogee bowl, c 1765, made of lead metal. The stem is of the double series opaque twist type (DSOT) and is comprised of a pair of 6-ply spiral bands outside of a pair of spiral tapes. The terraced foot is highly desirable and sought after by collectors. Snapped pontil.

The height is 3 13/16", with a bowl diameter of 2" and a foot diameter of 2 5/8".

Note: Because of the extreme closeups of the photos, and the non-ideal lighting conditions,...

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".

A nice Bow patty pan of tapered form with a ridged lip. Painted in a bright blue with flowers and leaves, the exterior with three twig motifs.

Excellent condition, with no problems. 3 7/8" diameter at the top, 2 3/16" at the foot. 1 5/16" in height.

A beautifully executed oil on canvas painting by George Harland, a noted British artist. The scene depicts a man returning in a rowboat at dusk. It combines elements of luminism and impressionism, and was done when both of those styles were in fashion. Harland was a highly thought of painter and was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London in 1907.

The painting is in excellent condition, with no impainting or restoration. The superb, elaborate yet elegant, frame, which has some very minor rest...

A beautiful and uncommon Derby basket-molded stand, or undertray, with a scalloped rim and a basket-weave border, The center is painted with fruit in shades of yellow, iron-red, puce, green, and brown. Surrounding the center, and on the border, are insects painted in a variety of colors. The underside of the stand has 5 patch marks.

Frequently, when referring to Derby, the literature, or catalogs, have references to "the moth painter," or the "principal fruit painter," or the like. In realit...

A beautiful polychrome Lowestoft creamer, of the Chelsea Ewer, or Dolphin Ewer, form, in a highly desirable small size. The body is molded and painted, in the style of the "Tulip Painter", with a variety of leaves and flowers in bright, vibrant colors.

Superb condition, with no chips, cracks, restoration, or paint loss. The length, from spout tip to the end of the handle, is 3 3/4", the height is 3", and the width is 2".

A very good antique English enamel twist wine glass, having a round funnel bowl with a fluted lower half. The stem contains a single series opaque twist with a pair of spiral gauzes. Conical foot with snapped pontil.

No condition issues, and the glass is 5 7/16" in height, with a bowl diameter of 2" and a foot diameter of 2 9/16".

Note: Because of the extreme closeups of the photos, and the non-ideal lighting conditions, there might appear to be spots, discolorations, or hazes in the glass, ...

A nicely proportioned waisted bucket bowl antique English Georgian air twist wine glass. The stem is a multiple-spiral air twist (MSAT) and the foot is conical and folded, with a snapped pontil

Condition is excellent with no chips, cracks, or restoration. Good color, striations, and tool marks. There is a very small piece of frit in the side of the bowl. The glass is 6 1/4" tall, with a bowl diameter of 2 3/8" and a foot diameter of 2 3/4".

Note: Because of the extreme closeups of the photos...

A beautiful opaque twist cordial glass, the bucket bowl fulsomely engraved with fruiting grapevines. The stem, of the single series opaque twist type (SSOT), making it much less common than the usual double series, has two spiral gauzes. Conical foot with snapped pontil.

This gem is in excellent condition, showing good color, tool marks, striations, and appropriate foot wear. It stands 6" tall, with a bowl diameter of 1 13/16" and a foot diameter of 2 1/2".

Note: Because of the extreme close...

An elegant Georgian antique wine glass with an engraved round funnel bowl with a fluted lower half. The engraving has vines, clusters of grapes, and other fruit. The stem is a double series opaque twist (DSOT), comprised of a pair of 7-ply spiral bands outside of a multi-ply corkscrew. Conical foot with a snapped pontil.

The glass is in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks, or repairs. It stands 6 1/4" tall, with a bowl diameter of 2 3/8" and a foot diameter of 2 0/16".

Note: Because o...

A nice double series opaque twist (DSOT) wine glass with an ovoid bowl (slightly ogee) which has a fluted lower half. The stem has a pair of 9-ply spiral bands outside of a lace twist. Conical foot, snapped pontil.

Fine condition with no problems. The height is 5 1/8", and a bowl diameter of 2" with a foot diameter of 2 7/8".

Note: Because of the extreme closeups of the photos, and the non-ideal lighting conditions, there might appear to be spots, discolorations, or hazes in the glass, whic...

A fine tinsel, or foil, painting. The relatively uncommon subject matter is a basket of fruit, nicely reverse painted on glass with tinsel backing. What unfortunately doesn't show well in the photo, because of the lighting, is the bunch of grapes directly under the basket.

The painting is in very good condition, with what is probably its original gilded frame and wood backing. The overall size is 16" by 14".

A lovely late 19th c tightly woven wool Tibetan prayer mat with Buddhist symbols, An excellent example from a private collection.

With clear colors and in wonderful condition, the rug measures 30" by 22".

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 beautifully fashioned English antique firing dram glass. Most glasses of this type (opaque twist firing glasses) have an ogee or ovoid bowl, as opposed to this funnel, or conical, type. The lower half of the bowl is fluted, while the stem contains a double series opaque twist comprised of a pair of spiral threads outside of a central gauze.

Condition is excellent, with no problems at all. Good color, striations, and tooling. The height is 4 1/4", with a bowl diameter of 2" and a foot diamete...

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 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...

An uncommon tinsel, or foil, painting on glass. Extremely vibrant, with deep colors, the painting shows a bluebird surrounded by a variety of fruit, with a compote of fruit behind it. It is rare to have a foil scene without a lot of open space between subjects.

The painting is in excellent condition, as is the later frame, which measures 16 1/4" by 13 1/4".

A spectacular and beautiful circa 1730 English silk embroidered apron front, exquisitely embroidered in polychrome silk and metallic threads with garlands and sprays of flowers urns. Scalloped edges are finished with embroidered metallic trim. A somewhat later but very similar example is shown in The Lotus Collection.

There are some scattered unimportant splits and very very minor and small spots of discoloration, all to be expected in such a delicate piece. The textile size is 41 3/8" by 17 ...

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 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...

This extremely rare and very early Derby enameled wine taster is of circular shape with gadrooned sides, and has a pierced scroll handle in puce with the exterior handle ends with applied leaves in green. The exterior has puce foliate sprays, and the interior has a circular central panel edged with black and red lines containing an insect.

While the form itself is uncommon, they are usually done in blue and white, and polychrome examples are of the "utmost rarity." It is for this reason that ...

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 fine example of a triple knopped double series opaque twist (DSOT) antique wine glass. The bell bowl sits above a stem with three heavy spiral threads outside of a loose central gauze, and with shoulder, medial, and basal 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 the value. Each additional knop increases these factors. Also, unlike ...

A superb and elegant multiple spiral opaque twist wine glass, with four features contributing to the rarity of this glass. The first is the bowl, which is highly unusual and could best be described as ogee form with an extremely swollen upper portion. Second is the enamel portion itself, with a multiple spiral opaque twist (msot), a type encountered very infrequently. Third is the presence of a central knop, with any knop on an opaque twist being uncommon. Finally is the folded foot, occurring e...

A rare Chaffers Liverpool porcelain hexagonal beaker, handpainted in blue and white. The design, taken from the Chinese, shows alternating panels of floral groups, with a trellised and floral diaper along the upper rim.

The condition of this piece is excellent, with no cracks or restoration. There is a tiny firing bite at the rim, and the bottom shows kiln bubbling common to this factory. The height is 3" and the diameter is 2 3/8". Retains the label of Winifred Williams, a well known and hig...

A watercolor miniature portrait done by Richard Morrell Staigg. The sitter is a nice-looking blue-eyed young man in a black coat and cravat, with a light blue vest. As is usual with Staigg, the painting is superbly limned. It is housed in one half of a leather case.

The condition is excellent, with no problems whatsoever. Sight size is 3 1/2" by 3".

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...

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 superb and early Dr. Wall Worcester sauce boat, of cos lettuce leaf form. This uncommon example is leaf molded, has a looped stem handle, and is decorated inside and out with scattered flower sprigs and insects, finished with raised fruit near the handle juncture. A similar example is shown in S. Spero and J. Sandon, "Worcester Porcelain 1751-1790, The Zorensky Collection", 1996, p. 120, no. 88. This form and decoration is based on Meissen factory pieces.

The sauce boat is 7 1/4" long and ha...

A fine and early Dr. Wall Worcester sauce boat, of cos lettuce leaf form. This uncommon and molded example has a looped stem handle, and is decorated inside and out with scattered flower sprigs and insects, finished with raised fruit near the handle juncture. A similar example is shown in S. Spero and J. Sandon, "Worcester Porcelain 1751-1790, The Zorensky Collection", 1996, p. 120, no. 88. This form and decoration is based on pieces done at the Meissen factory.

There is some minor wear at so...

A beautiful creamware tureen and lid, probably Leeds, but possibly a Staffordshire factory. Of oval, quatrefoil shape with molded shell borders, scrolled handles, and a pomegranate finial, painted with turquoise and black enamel trim. An identical, undecorated example is shown in "Creamware and Other English Pottery at Temple Newsam House Leeds", item 331.

The overall condition of this wonderful example is excellent, with no cracks or chips. There was a highly professional and invisible restor...

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".

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...

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...

This striking and well executed miniature watercolor painting, on natural organic material, depicts a blue-eyed handsome young gentleman. He is wearing a black coat and tie, white shirt with a stickpin, and is sporting a fashionable hairstyle for the times.

The sight size of the painting is 2 1/2" by 2". It is housed in its original cast brass locket which is 2 5/8" by 2 1/8", and, in the engine turned back, has a glazed aperture containing a woven plait of hair. Below this aperture is e...

A charming folk art, watercolor on paper, portrait of a very pretty young woman. She is wearing a mourning band on each arm, and is sitting quietly on a chair, with the sheet music of "The Julia Polka" on her lap. Since the painting is titled, in pencil along the lower margin, "Julia ???", the most likely explanation is that this is Julia, mourning for the loved one who probably wrote the song for her. Rather than sadness, however, the painting conveys a feeling of pensiveness and serenity.

Th...

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.

A very fine American portrait miniature painting, on natural organic material, of a young man attired in the latest fashion of his period, wearing a brown vest and velvet collar coat.

The miniature is 2 inches by 1 1/2 inches sight size and the deep purple velvet-lined thermoplastic case it is in is 3 inches by 2 1/2 inches. The piece is in superb condition, with no cracks, chips, bowing, or inpainting. The case, with its gilt brass liner, has only a tiny nick at one point on the edge and is ...

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 simple but elegant brandy warmer with beaded lid and base rims, the thumb rest on the lid molded as a scallop shell, the angled handle of aged wood with a nice patina.

The piece is 3 3/8" tall, and 2 7/8" wide, 5 1/8" wide including the handle. Excellent condition.

A beautiful set of 6 Art Nouveau studs or buttons, each with a bas relief image of a woman playing a lyre. They bear the hallmarks for Birmingham sterling silver, 1907, and the maker's initials, "R & W". Accompanying the buttons are the sterling silver cross pins that go through the rear loop. All these are housed in the original leather case with velvet lining.

The buttons are 5/8" in diameter, and in excellent condition. There is one cross pin missing. The yellowish cast in the close-up is d...

A fine miniature portrait painting, on natural organic material, done by John Alexander McDougall. The sitter is a distinguished gentleman dressed fashionably in a ruffled blue shirt, light blue vest, and black coat.

The miniature is in excellent condition, with no problems or restoration. The brass case is also without flaws. The photo of the back does appear to have blemishes, but these are label residues. Sight size is 3 1/4" by 2 1/2" .

MacDougall was born in New Jersey in 1810, and pri...

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 ...

An unusual pair of large iron shears with a wonderful surface. Excellent condition and movement. 16 inches long by 5 inches wide.

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 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 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.

An English 18th century porcelain pickle dish made at the Limehouse Manufactory, in perfect condition. This exceptionally rare piece is molded in the form of a scallop shell, and is painted in underglaze blue, based on a K'ang Hsi pattern, with a Chinese vase containing two feathers. The vase is in front of a partially unrolled scroll, with an insect to the right and three flocks of birds in the distance. The border has three feathers entwined with ribbons, while the reverse has two branches of ...

A Samuel Gilbody of Liverpool porcelain small mug or coffee can with a flattened round loop handle and a flat unglazed base. Painted in famille rose colors with stylized peonies and a prunus bough issuing from a jardiniere. There are sacred Chinese scrolls and a larger peony spray to the right. The interior of the rim has a diaper border with prunus blossoms.

A similar mug was sold during the Watney Collection auctions, and the pattern is also illustrated in the Gilbody section in "Liverpool ...

An 18th century beautiful and uncommon Dr. Wall Worcester coffee cup of fluted French shape with a classical urn, swags, grapes and other fruit hand painted on it. The colors are vibrant, and the condition is excellent, with no chips, cracks, or restoration. The gilding is also in wonderful shape, with only a few scattered traces of loss on the rim, visible only under magnification. The cup is 2 5/8 inches tall, with a diameter of 2 3/8 inches.

A nice English double series opaque twist (DSOT) wine glass, c 1765. This glass features a flared bucket bowl over a stem containing a 12 ply spiral band ouside of a pair of spiral tapes. The conical foot has a rough, snapped pontil.

The height is 6 1/2 inches, the bowl diameter is 2 3/4 inches, and the foot diameter is 3 1/16 inches. No repairs or condition problems.

This is an elegant SSOT, or single series opaque twist English antique drinking, or wine, glass. It has a drawn trumpet bowl and the stem has a beautifully fashioned enamel spiral gauze. Single series opaque twists are considerably rarer than double series twists. The conical foot has a rough, snapped pontil.

The glass has good height at 7 1/8 inches, a bowl diameter of 2 5/8 inches, and a foot diameter of 2 7/8 inches. There are no repairs or condition problems.

Provenance: Harry and ...

A sentimental Bohemian souvenir or memento flashed red glass mug, with a nicely curved handle. Etched with flowers and the saying "To My Son." In superb condition, standing 4 1/8 inches tall, with a diameter of 2 3/8 inches.

This glass is a companion piece to g1217, identical except for the floral arrangement on top of the cartouche surrounding the saying.

A sentimental Bohemian souvenir or memento flashed red glass mug, with a nicely curved handle. Etched with flowers and the saying "Remember Me." In superb condition, standing 4 1/8 inches tall, with a diameter of 2 3/8 inches.

This glass is a companion piece to g1218, identical except for the floral arrangement on top of the cartouche surrounding the saying.

This is a wonderful early glass sugar bowl, in a deep cobalt blue color, from Scotland or Northern England. It is delightfully gilded with the saying "Be Canny with the Sugar". The rim is also gilded.

The bowl is on a stem with two flattened knops, above a folded foot with a rough, snapped pontil. It stands 4 1/8" tall and is 4 5/8" in diameter. The condition is excellent, with no chips or restoration. The gilding itself is in very good condition, with less rubbing than the majority of gi...

This is a very fine example of a simple, yet elegant First Period Dr. Wall Worcester coffee cup. The painting is very nicely executed, and features a large, loose bouquet of flowers, and other scattered blooms, including a purple tulip. The handle is grooved and there is a gilded rim.

The cup is 2 1/2" tall and has a diameter of 2 3/8". The condition is superb, with no chips, cracks, restoration, or scratches. The enamels are vibrant, and the gilding is 99.9% intact.

An ornate and huge Bohemian antique glass goblet of baluster form. The round funnel bowl is cut all over with hexagons, the top row of which forms round arches. The elaborately worked stem contains two flattened knops, each cut with roundels, and a truncated inverted baluster knop cut with hexagons mirroring the bowl. A total of about 12 merises surround the knops.

This rare glass is in perfect condition, and stands an extremely tall 9 5/8 inches high, with a bowl diameter of 3 5/8 inches, and...