Circa late 19th century needlework in cream and red, 11 3/4" by 9 3/4" plus Victorian style wood frame with grape leaves in the corners, wrapped around a board. The birds remind of those seen on American salt glaze cobalt ceramic pieces. Together with the folky framing, this makes for a very decorative work of Americana, and an interesting addition to your collection.

This is a rare and striking folk art example of a tinsel or foil painting. The vast majority of tinsel paintings are of flowers, but this one, as does item a1175, focuses instead on fruit. This particular gem shows a rose colored glass compote with plums, cherries, strawberries, pear, etc. Colors are deep and very vibrant, and include blues, purple, orange, yellow, greens, etc...

A wonderful American folk art mourning portrait painting of a young child, done by Horace Bundy. Although unsigned by him, virtually all the characteristics that indicate such an attribution are present...

Offered is a fabulous, 19th century antique, hand-carved, wood, FLYING GARGOYLE from a South Carolina estate. Exquisitely crafted in the gothic-style, this piece undoubtedly was once an interior architectural focal point in a grand Victorian mansion.

Significant carving expertise and skill was required to create such a wonderfully executed object of art which emanates fierce expression and unrelenting strength...

A small and very rare antique 'bisque' (unglazed) porcelain doll in her original costume made in pre-revolution Russia during the late 19th or early 20th Century. Condition: very good - the textiles are distressed ; the porcelain is fine - no damages and no losses. 12.5cm (5 inches) high.

A fine painted gameboard painted with red numbers on black squares on a brown background. This type of gameboard was supposedly used for playing checkers games by mail, using the numbers to describe the piece positions; also possibly used for teaching checkers; size is 29 1/2" by 21" by 1 1/2". Excellent condition.

An extremely folky and graphically strong hooked rug with vibrant colors, initialled KP and dated 1898;some minor and invisible museum quality restoration was done, and the rug was then mounted on acid free cloth and frame; a nice large size of 56" by 27"

Very unusual to find a black cloth doll that is truly a baby doll. She has the chubby body and bent legs and is wearing a romper two piece play outfit. She has a somewhat formed face with a raised nose and rounded chin. She has bead eyes with white accents painted on. She has the astrakhan hair with a cute tie around her head that goes with her two piece play suit...

A charming scene showing classical ruins; great detail and contrast in the sky; great period frame; sight size 20 1/4" by 14 7/8", framed size 26 1/2" by 21"

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 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...

From the Southeastern US, a Salesman's Sample of Louvers to ventilate Tobacco Barns. A Great Folk Art Display, measures about 15 3/4" by 23" by 3". Brass knob is patented January 24, 1860. One louver is slightly detached and knob does not adjust louvers as it did originally. You probably will not see another.

This is a small and charming child's gameboard, measuring 13 3/4" long by 10 3/4" wide by 3/4" thick. It was found in Vermont, and most likely originated there. It is made of maple, with bread-boarded ends, affixed with square nails. The dry paint surface, with its red and black checkerboard, outlined with green stripes, is in superb condition, with no overpainting or areas of loss. The wood itself is in excellent shape, with 2 minor age cracks, and a knothole in the back which fell out...

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...

Very nice dovetailed wooden writing box or work box, the hinged lid decorated with a handpainted grapevine motif against a mustard painted background. The interior of the box has four fitted compartments along the back side. The bottom and top are attached to the dovetailed sides with old square nails. The inside of the lid is inscribed illegibly in pencil "Hannah ??".

Origin: New England, ca. 1870...

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...

A small sweet excellent condition antique egg basket. It has nice patina and is circa 1870-80. It would hold about 5 or 6 eggs and a lot of strawberry emeries.

This is an unusual, wonderful, and beautifully done folk art example of a tinsel or foil painting. The vast majority of tinsel paintings are of flowers. This rarity depicts a bluebird hovering over a basket filled with pears, a melon, and apples. A cluster of cherries, and bunches of grapes and foliage surround the basket. Colors are deep and very vibrant, and include blues, purple, brown, various shades of yellow and green, white, reds, and others.

Tinsel paintings of this type are almost ...

A truly striking reverse-painted game board featuring a rainbow of colors and a highly unusual mottled border. In pristine condition, and housed in its original wood frame.

22" by 22" by 1 1/2" high.

The puppets costume and "figure" are that of a of a medieval matron. Her head is paper mache and is manipulated from inside. Her head has a wide range of motion side to side, extending high with long fabric neck and can be cocked in different directions for added expression. The arms are long reaching and are supported and manipulated by metal rods, one is original and the other has been replaced.

She stands 21 to 22+ inches depending on length of neck extension. She is in good conditio...

A wonderful and rare southern folk art small watercolor on paper portrait of a gentleman, identified as Mr. Bunning on the reverse, along with the date of 1824. Examples of southern folk art are quite uncommon and highly sought after. This fine example was found in Florida, and the presence of a palm tree and water in the background, along with a classical style column, indicates that it was done, in fact, somewhere along the southeastern coast of the U.S

The figure of the man is very nicely r...

A sweet tinsel (foil) painting of a large bouquet of flowers. The painting itself is in very good condition, with no chips, breaks, or image loss. The period or earlier gilded wood frame has normal expected wear. Period wood backboard. The sight size is 11 1/4" by 9 5/8", and the overall size is 12 3/4" by 11".

NOTE: Between September 12, 2012 and January 13, 2013 the American Folk Art Museum held an exhibit on this art form. The following is excerpted from the catalog of that exhibition: "T...

A beautifully limned tinsel, or foil, painting, reverse painted on glass. The subject matter is a white urn, filled with a an array of various flowers, including a large rose and a lily. The period and probably original frame is of high quality.

This good-sized painting is in overall excellent condition, as is the frame. The sight size is 14 5/8" by 12 3/8", and the framed size is 19 5/8" by 17 1/4".

NOTE: Foil paintings were done primarily in the second half of the 19th century, and ...

A black cloth doll with lots of assets. This doll has a very nice embroidered face, the clothes are fabulous, (including pantaloons, petticoat, skirt blouse,apron, lace shawl), her hair is deerskin hide, her socks are hand made with a different color yarn on the sole to make it look like a shoes and she is 20" tall. She is firmly stuffed with cotton. She sits but resists a little so she would sit on an upholstered chair but would tend to slip on a wooden surface. I have had her sitting on a woo...

A totally charming box from, and decorated in the style of, Snyder County, Pennsylvania; grain painted with gilt and gray highlights; polychrome stencil painting of fruit on top; terrific painted keyhole escutcheon; 9 1/2" by 6 1/2" by 5 1/4"

Top has scrapes and scratching, but 99% of the paint is still intact, and the uncommon nature of the overall decoration on this piece far outweighs the damage

A wonderful idyllic scene of a girl gathering flowers in a hat. Near her is a lake with cows watering, while in the immediate background is another group of cows and a young girl. The far background has trees and a house. The charming naïve style, and the inclusion so many items of interest combine to make this work an exceptional piece.

Often even simple watercolors of this age have substantial condition issues, ranging from tears, stain, folds, di89scolrations, etc. The example offered here...

A charming metal artist's trade sign mounted under glass in a fine period wood frame. Obviously done to showcase his skill, it shows a palette with brushes resting in the thumb hole along with flowers, additional flowers and a bird outside of the palette.

The sign and the frame with its original backboard are in excellent condition. Sight size 13 1/2" by 9 1/2", and a framed size of 17" by 12 1/2".

A small (4" by 2 3/4" by 2 3/4") tin box of the style common in the circa 1840's period in the northeastern states, the green and red hand painted design on the front remaining, but most of the other paint worn away----some remains in a few spots. These boxes, most larger than this particular example, likely held important papers or other keepsakes. They were made of tin and evidently were part of many households of the period. This example was purchased in Concord, New Hampshire. The small ...

This nice early cloth doll has one of the best ink and water color painted face that I have had. She has a nice round head, real hair and sweet little applied ears. She feels like she is stuffed with cotton and rags. Her brown socks continue up to her waist and they are sewn on but her legs and arms feel attached rather than continuous. She has on a wonderful age appropriate wool print dress. There are several big hole in it but it is a lined top so it isn't very obvious. She is 22" tall and cir...

Initialized and dated early Danish Mangle board of Oak wood in a splendid quality, from nobility, Denmark, mid 17th. century.

Baroque style of carving in a high relief, later dated and initialized 1787. Finely carved with a Mermaids handle including the delicate tail. With floral decoration incl. a cluster of grapes. With the original painting preserved from at least the 18th. century.

Size: 64,5 cm. long and 16 cm. wide.

Condition: Nice Very fine for this very r...

A fine set of 4 watercolor schoolgirl paintings executed with a very high degree of artistry, probably originally done as bookplates. They have been mounted in pairs in attractive figured maple frames. The first frame has the paintings shown in the 2nd and 3rd photos and the 2nd frame has the paintings shown in the 4th and 5th photos.

The paintings and frames are in excellent condition, with the first frame, shown in the top left of the first photo, measuring 12 5/8" by 10 3/4". The second fr...

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. The sight size is 12 inches by 8 3/8 inches, while the...

A fine oil on canvas portrait of a young woman in a brown dress and blue lace trimmed hat, with a column and red drape behind her. Stylistically, this would be from the Philadelphia School. Sight size is 30" by 24 1/2" and the overall size is 35 1/4" by 30". The portrait is in its original gilded frame, which is in very fine shape, with the normal minor nicks. The stretcher also appears to be original. Overall, the painting is in excellent condition, but has has been relined, and has a small ...

A charming hooked rug depicting a woman holding a flower and sitting in a chair beside a large kettle over an open fire. The wall behind her shows a painting and a window through which can be seen a church. Rugs of this size and this period showing an interior scene are quite uncommon.

The 21" by 17" rug is mounted in a museum approved manner on acid free board. The condition is excellent, with no issues.

From the latter half of the 19th century, this beautifully proportioned iron vane graced the spire of the United Baptist Church in Ellsworth, Maine. In 1933, a major fire swept through the town, burning many of the buildings, including the church. When the church was finally rebuilt, the council wanted a more modern look, and stored the vane in the basement, where it remained for the next 70 years or so. A picture of the vane on top of the church is shown below.

The design of the vane is f...

A nice 19th C. black wool spaniel dog with a red tape collar. He has wire enforced legs. His wool shows areas of wear but no holes. He is 7" long and 7" tall. He has a great little face.

A striking and colorful painting on silk of a signet ring with, not surprisngly, the word "Signet" and the date 1870; period frame; 11 1/4" by 9 1/2" framed size, 8 1/2" by 6 1/2" sight size

This is an unusual, wonderful, and beautifully done tinsel or foil painting. It depicts a large bouquet of flowers in a an urn. The urn has been painted to look like it has a mica or quartz type surface, with the stand being done in the same manner. Colors are very vibrant, and include deep blues, purple, pink, various shades of yellow and green, white, reds, and others.

Tinsel paintings of this type are almost a completely American form, becoming highly popular around 1870, and continuing ...

English Georgian Mahogany Cutlery Tray or Box with Brass handle, Ca. 1820's, 13 1/4" x 9" wide, 5 1/4" high with brass handle, dovetail joint on four(4) corners, joints and brass handle is very tight in good condition except some dark stains.

Nineteenth century classic folk art, an American weathervane of a galloping horse, dimensions 28" by 15" by 3", with contemporary birch wood block mount for display. The piece was acquired in Connecticut. Weather vanes are not my specialty. I know that there are recognized makers (Harris?) but cannot attribute this to any particular source. The piece had bullet holes that have been fixed and smoothed over, so, work has been done to this. The gilt and mustard paint surface, it has been sugge...

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. It was presumably at this time that the plaque was crafted. Condition: it has split in two, possibly in the 19th century and is held togethe...

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.
All our artifacts are accompanied by a Certification of Authenticity
For further d...

A naïve portrait of a young man holding a book, done in watercolor, ink, and pencil. Although unsigned, every characteristic of J.A. Davis' work is present, from the materials used to the composition, to the painting technique. Similar to lot 834 at the Sotheby's 1/25/15 auction and to lots 119 and 120 at the Skinner 11/2/18 sale. .

Excellent condition with no tears, folds, or restoration. There is some light even toning which is very common with her works and does not detract from this gem o...

A fine old charmingly naive watercolor drawing of a boy dressed almost as a girl, in the style of the times, titled in pencil at bottom "William John Babb March 1834". This work appears to be in its original weathered old frame, the original surface beautifully alligatored. Measuring 7 1.2" by 5 1/2" (10" by 8" including frame), the drawing is perfect for the small wall. Colors are perhaps a little faded after nearly 200 years. On the wood backing a sort of mathematical problem: the year 19...

From Lancaster, PA.; each with the birth date and age of the sitter; strong attribution to Jacob Eichholtz based on style and area found; sight size 14" by 10"

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. Sight size is 9 7/8 inches by 7...

1880 blue checked bonnet all hand sewn with really nice details. I have taken some pictures I hope you can see the hand stitching on the brim with six rows with cord inside so it gives the brim some stiffness. The bonnet is a lovely blue. There are a few spots around the bottom of the neck fringe. It is 14" top to bottom and 8" front to back of the bonnet. It is a very nice early work of art. C.1880

Two antique bunny rabbits, one is a paper mache candy container and the other is a fury rabbit with moveable arms and legs and a wire that may have attached him to a basket or it stabilizes her to stand. They both are a little under 5" tall and show their age a bit. They are both as cute as can be.

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 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. The wood used is pine, and construct...

A large and rare, early 19th C Gathering Basket from North Carolina of rectangle shape with 2 steamed and bent handles. In great condition, it is very tightly woven with a double wrapped rim. Basket is coated with cream colored paint, probably milk paint. Wood is unknown, possibly split oak. From the private collection of an appraiser of Early Americana. Measures 28" long, 16" wide, 12" high. Note: Basket depth measures 10", with handles 12".

In addition to being a wonderful piece of American folk art, this watercolor and pen and ink on paper gives some good insight into one of the courting customs of the 18th and 19th centuries. Often, when young people were "seeing" each other, they would leave little love notes in prearranged places for their partner, either to arrange a tryst, or just to express their feelings.

This charming painting depicts just such an instance, with the attractive young woman leaving a note in the hollow ...

A nice early antique cloth doll with an amazing brown calico dress. She has a sweet ink drawn face with big round eyes. She has applied black fabric on the back of her head representing hair. She has an hour glass body with a tiny waist. Under her calico dress is a early petticoat and pantaloons. She has sewn on brown polished cotton fabric shoes or boots. Her dress is sewn on and the dress is fragile. The hem either never was done or it has more than likely been cut off to accommodate this doll...

A beautifully rendered watercolor and pencil portrait of a woman done by Jane Anthony Davis, more commonly known as J.A. Davis. The sitter, as was usual with Davis' portraits, is dressed in black, with color being reserved for decorative objects, such as books, flowers, or jewelry, as in this case. What is highly unusual is that Davis signed very few of her works, and on this piece, on the cardboard insert behind the painting, is written "Caroline Mathilda Brown Wife of Nicholas Brown". Beneath ...

DESCRIPTION: This child’s word learning game has spool type wood letters that slide around the two outer tracks in order to form words on the center track. An all wood board with beveled edges, this bright and cheery game has 1912 to 1916 patents. A great early educational piece for game collectors, this one is remarkable as there are neither missing letters nor breaks to the letters. Very good condition with normal usage wear. DIMENSIONS: 13.5” wide x 9.25” high.

This black doorstop bottle doll has a great embroidered face. The stitches are big and bold and raised. She has on a cream colored dress and a pinafore over the dress. The kerchief around her neck might have been added but the one on her head is original. She is 15" tall and is on what feels to be a double necked bottle. I don't see these bottles often but they do work really well for doorstop doll. She is circa 1890-1900

A very nice stockinette face doll with button eyes and embroidered eyebrows, nose and mouth. She has raveled yarn hair, she has attached arms and legs and sewn on stockinette shoes. She has wear on hands and on her black stockings. She is firmly stuffed with cotton. She is looking for Vera Wang but until then is wearing a camisole and pantaloons. She is 20" tall and is circa 1890

A vibrant and charming American folk art tinsel painting showing a variety of fruit and foliage in a white compote set upon a slab of marble. Wonderful condition, with a sight size of 12 inches by 15 1/4 inches, and a beautiful, non-period frame of 16 3/4 inches by 20 inches.

A fine naïve folk portrait profile of a gentleman, signed on the reverse by the artist Samuel Rowell. In the same hand is the location of Amesbury, Mass, and the name of the sitter, Moses Henderson.

The painting is on card, done in watercolor with gum arabic highlights, and is in the original gilded wood frame. An additional piece of glass has been put on the back to protect the written information.

The condition of the painting is excellent, with no folds, tears, or staining. There is a v...

DESCRIPTION: An antique American woven oak splint basket with twisted vine handle in elongated form for flower or herb gathering. You can never have too many great, old baskets! CONDITION: Good with minor age-appropriate wear, stains or losses. DIMENSIONS: 12" high x 21" wide.