A beautiful and striking pair of American folk art pastel still life paintings. The fruit is laid out on a green table, and wonderfully executed. The black background provides superb contrast and highlights the radiance of the apples, pears, grapes, peaches, etc.
The gilded over gesso frames are period and probably original. Sight size of each is 16 3/4" by 12 7/8", while the framed size is 21 1/4" by 17 3/4"...
Antique 19th century American Victorian needlepoint picture in oval dark walnut frame, measuring 22" by 19". This was acquired recently from a local Santa Monica estate that was like "New England West"---filled with eastern Americana and furnishings. The piece appears to date to about the third quarter of the 19th century, maybe to 1890 at the latest. Note the wood peg style construction of the frame...
A commemorative plaque carved with oak from the barque (three masted sailing ship) the Mary Moore which operated as a tea clipper until the end of the 19th Century.
The Mary Moore was built by Stephen & Sons (Glasgow) in 1868 and was registered in Maryport, Cumberland, North West England. In 1887 she was re-fitted and her hull was clad with metal...
An amazing whimsical game board reverse painted on glass. The checkerboard design is worked in bright shades of lime green and burgundy, the individual squares outlined with borders painted in orange, red, lavender ocher and gray. The board is decorated with ornate flourishes at each corner bearing the names “Agnes”, “Edd”, “Beulah” and “Mother”. The outer edge is painted in burgundy. The overall appearance is very graphic and reminds us of a good patchwork quilt...
A wonderful example of a pastel painting on sandpaper. The scene shows a man in 18th century garb, holding a fawn that his daughter is feeding. They stand on a dirt path lined with a wooden fence. Other deer are in the foreground and near the lake that occupies the mid-ground of this work. In the immediate background is a fantasy type building on a hill, with mountains in the background...
Watercolor still life of wildflowers and some cultivated ones, in a vase of the period, large size at 24" by 18" inside the mat, 35" by 28 3/4" as framed, unsigned, in the nineteenth century tradition that traces its roots back to stencil type paintings. This would likely date to the period 1850 to 1880. Detail is painstaking and extreme; this artist was no amateur. There are bluebells, forget-me-nots, roses, fuchsia, some kind of lily, some kind of daisy and others...
A nicely decorated document box featuring red and black grain painting, the edges with yellow and green striping.
The box is 13 1/4 inches in length, 7 1/4 inches in depth, and 6 1/2 inches tall. Overall condition is excellent, with no cracks or breaks, and virtually all of the original, unrestored paint is present. The lock and hinges are original and in fine shape. There is the normal amount of wear along some of the box edges.
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 wonderful cutlery tray, probably of Vermont origin, made around 1840. What makes it so exceptional is the decoration, closely akin to "vinegar painting." Red paint was put on a yellow base, and a solvent added. This made the combination of colors run together, producing a somewhat mottled effect.
Another notable point is that the tray is in excellent condition, with no cracks or breaks. The paint is all original and untouched, with a nice dry surface...
Pencil on paper with added color in crayon, 13" by 19 1/2", (unframed, but a damaged frame in which it was found is available with it). The scene, of a circa 1870 house with barn, outbuildings and neat haystacks, and a man on a horse drawn carriage, is titled at bottom "RES. OF HON. CHRISTIAN PARKER. SKETCHED BY. ED. A...
Formerly owned by Ingrid Bergman and Alan Freed, this is a large and exceptional fine American tinsel or foil painting featuring a full wreath encircling an urn of flowers on a green base. Although the use of a wreath in a tinsel painting is not at all uncommon, this particular format is extremely rare, if not unique. The flowers are so densely packed as to make the execution of the painting quite difficult...
A superb oil on canvas American folk art painting depicting a man orating about temperance. He is standing beneath trees which are arching to almost form a bower over him. A courting couple is on either side of him, with a church in the background. The symbolism of the couples probably reflects the belief that marital and family relations improve in temperance households. Note also that the orator is holding a bottle in his left hand, probably just after having poured the contents on the ground...
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...
An absolutely charming group of small schoolgirl paintings of animals, soldiers, plants, etc., mounted together and presented in three period gilt frames. The back of each framed group indicates that these were all done around 1840 by Miss E. Green of Pennsylvania.
The condition is generally very good, with some rippling to the paper. The frames have expected wear but display well. Framed sizes are 13 3/4" by 6 3/4", 9 1/2" by 6 1/4", and 7" by 7".
These would be wonderful for a child's room...
Very Rare Black Forest hand carved walnut dog cigar holder. May have been used in a gentlemen's club, a men's parlor in a Victorian home, or as a store display. A fantastic find for the collector or cigar aficionado. Measures 16" long, 6" high, 5" wide.
Can be purchased as a pair for $5800
Condition: Very good antique condition. Some light wax residue within the holes as it was likely previously used as a candle holder. One tail was broken and was professionally reattached someti...
A nicely executed painting of Stephen Girard, capturing the inner essence of this important person. Excellent condition, and in a period gilt frame which is in very good condition. Sight size is 21 3/4" by 16".
Stephen Girard came to the United States, and Philadelphia, around 1776, and became one of the wealthiest men in the nation. He was well-known for his philanthropy, and founded Girard College. During the War of 1812, Girard was responsible for saving the U.S. from financial collapse. ...
A charming oil on cardboard American folk art painting of a white clapboard house with a red porch, set amidst trees and greenery. Overall very fine condition with some truly minor scuffs. The gilt frame is period. Sight size is 16 inches by 12 inches.
A striking and extremely rare hooked rug featuring a peacock displaying its beautiful plumage. This is a very graphically strong depiction, striking in its design.
One of the factors that contributes greatly to the rarity is the use of silver metallic threads circling the "eyes" of the peacock's feathers. The color range in the rug is beautiful, with no jarring clashes. All dyes are natural, with no use of artificial coloring.
The condition is excellent, with virtually no worn spots, tear...
