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 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.
This is a superbly rendered watercolor on paper attributed to Henry Walton. The name of the sitter, John Andrew Jenny, is written in pencil at the top of the painting, in penmanship not unlike Walton's.
Mr. Jenny is a nice-looking young man wearing a black coat, with highlights in gum arabic. The style of the coat and the cravat place this portrait in the 1841-1844 time period...
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...
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"...
A beautifully done Pennsylvania Quaker sampler, featuring three sets of the alphabet, two bushes, an urn of flowers, birds and dogs, and the verse:
Let the most blessed be my guide
If it be his blessed will
Unto his vale into his fold
Up to his holy hill.
The sampler is signed Martha Graham Work Done in her 11th Year 182X...
A nicely executed, watercolor on paper, small American folk art portrait of a young woman. The subject is wearing a vibrant blue dress, and is holding a book as she sits in a chair beside a table with a vase of flowers. Fine detailing abounds in her jewelry, and the lace accents on her clothing.
The paper has some overall light toning and the painting is in excellent condition, with no creasing, tears, or stains. The cherry frame is period and might be original...
A wonderful and strong American freehand watercolor on paper folk art theorem. Strawberries, apples, cherries, and pears, with their foliage, are depicted in bold colors with a whimsical style. They rest in a large bowl with a light brown tint (not stained).
In contrast to the creasing, heavy foxing and flaws that many examples of this type art have, the overall condition is excellent, with no tears and only a spot or two or discoloration...
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...
Folk Art Duck Decoy hand carved from wood with yellow eye created from a thumb tack, 19th century. The bird is painted black with white highlights and a grey bill. It has a leather strap on the base for pulling the decoy in the water.
CONDITION: signs of wear on leather and on the base of the decoy, as well as paint chip on the bill, hole behind the strap. The yellow thumb tack is probably a later replacement.
MEASUREMENTS: Total length: 14 ¾ inches...
Folk Art Duck Decoy hand carved from wood with yellow eye created from a thumb tack, 19th century. The bird is painted black with white highlights and a grey beak. It has a leather strap on the base for pulling the decoy in the water.
CONDITION: signs of wear on leather and on the base. The yellow thumb tack is probably a later replacement.
MEASUREMENTS: Total length: 16 inches...
A nicely done American folk art watercolor on paper profile portrait. The young man is wearing a blue-gray jacket and a white lacy cravat. Housed in an old gilded frame with a newer interior velvet liner. Framed size is 7 1/4 " by 7 1/4", and the sight size is 2 5/8" by 2 5/8". Excellent condition with no problems.
A wonderful double sided smalt trade sign for D.M. Woodward, Doctor of Chiropractic. The gilded letters and the black smalt background are virtually intact and vibrant. The frame is original, and measures 28 3/4 inches by 14 inches by 2 inches deep. There is a small sliver out of the frame at one upper edge, and a small gap in the frame at the corner. Aside from these very minor flaws, the piece is in excellent condition.
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.
Showing the whimsy that exemplifies good American folk art, this watercolor double portrait depicts a young man and woman who are clearly siblings. The artist achieved a starkness by having them in black clothing and not accentuating the details of their garb. In fact, the basic touches of color are only the blue in the girl's eyes and in the sky against which they are posed. Note that neither sitter is gazing directly at the viewer, nor are they looking in the same direction. The combination of...
This banneret weather vane, found in upstate New York, is constructed of sheet and wrought iron, and has an incredible presence and visual impact. Featuring a flag with a central cut-out, scrollwork on either side of the flag, and an ornate three dimensional flower blossom at the end, it exemplifies the whimsy that one looks for in great items of folk art.
The vane has a wonderful weathered and rough brown surface, and is in overall excellent condition. It is 37 inches long, 15 inches ta...
This is a charmingly rendered watercolor on paper portrait of an attractive little girl, leaning against a hillock of red flowers amidst green foliage. The artist has chosen to omit details in the background, and, instead, draws the viewer's focus to the subject by limning her dress in a bright blue, and having her hold several flowers in her hand. The work possesses a whimsy and naivete that brings a smile to one's face, as good folk art often does.
Sight size is 6 3/4" by 5 1/2", and ...
This is an extremely unusual American 12 tube candle mold, made of tin and painted black. I have seen many candle molds in my time, but don't recall ever seeing one with the type decoration that this one has. The front and side have charming and whimsical squiggles of gold paint.
Overall condition is excellent, with the usual spots of paint loss and wear, and some nicks to the base. All the tubes are present, all the paint is original, and there have been no repairs. The base is stable ...
