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...

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...

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...

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".

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...

A circular lidded box with compartments used for jewelry and other valuables included in the dowry of a Vietnamese bride, c 1900 or earlier. Rosewood with mother-of-pearl inlays of flowers, butterflies and birds. Note: Diameter "8 3/4/ 22 cm, height "4/ 10 cm. Condition: loss of inlays to the lid, still beautiful.

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.

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 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".

An unusual foil, or tinsel, painting depicting two birds hovering over a large flowering plant. The painting is done basically in tones of taupe and green. The frame is period and is most likely original. The back is sealed with paper that appears to have been a student's calligraphy practice.

Condition is very good, with some very minor paint separation at some points on the edges. The grayish areas in the painting are shadows from when the photograph was taken...

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...

A spectacular calligraphic work by E. Bambeck, signed and dated as part of the painting. Using pastels, watercolors, and pen and ink, he has limned a pair of very lifelike parakeets on white branches against a stark black background. The details and artistry that has gone into this work is truly of the highest order.

The condition is excellent, with no smudges, tears, toning or other problems. The bright white blobs in the center of some of the photos are reflections of lamps...

A charming tinsel (foil) painting depicting a variety of flowers in an urn placed on a stone slab. Dating from the last half of the 19th century, the painted frame, worth a bit of money on its own, is likely earlier, with a wood backboard The painting is in fine condition, with only some very small minor speckles in the black background. The frame could use a little spiffing up. Sight size is 9 1/2" by 13 1/2", and the framed size is 13 1/4" by 17 1/8".

A fine American tinsel or foil painting depicting a wreath of flowers, with a bird, around a grouping of fruit and foliage. The wreath is on a variation of the relatively rare "snowflake" type of background. This technique appears to have been done primarily in the 1870's period. The frame and wooden backboard are original.

There is a crack in the glass at the top left, and a small piece of glass is missing...

A charming small watercolor on paper painting of a young boy wearing a naval uniform and holding a flute, which is used to pipe the hours. Period bird's eye maple frame with period backboard.,

The painting has even light toning and is in excellent condition, with no folds, tears, or restoration. Sight size is 8 1/8" by 6 1/2", and the framed size is 11 3/8" by 9 3/8".

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...

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. Her legs were attached like her arms by being sewn on and at some later date someone updated her legs so she would sit more easily i...

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...

This black cloth doll is from a private collection in New Hampshire. She is 16" tall and has embroidered face with a pinched raised nose. She has floss hair coming out from around the sewn on gathered bonnet. She is rag stuffed and is very firm. She sits but it is a bit forced maybe because she has been stored flat in a box for many years. She is hand sewn as is her great early dress with a pocket on one side.The dress is without arms but with her black cloth arms it is hard to notice. She is a ...

As found a nice early stockinette doll stuffed with rags. She wears a wonderful old undershirt that buttons up the back. She has natural brown raw wool hair, (fleece cut off of a brown sheep). I haven't seen this done on a black doll before but it makes perfect sense. Her face consists of amber glass button eyes. If she had a nose or mouth they don't show now. She is a true off the farm doll with a lot of appeal. 13" tall circa 1890-1900

A rock solid play doll with a red calico dress an a blue calico bonnet. She has sturdy little legs and arms. Her face is blank other than her shoe button eyes. Her arms are jointed but her legs are not. She can be persuaded to sit. She is 16" tall and circa 1900-1920 She is a very sweet played with doll.

This doll is a tough little cookie. She is heavy and round and firmly stuffed with rags and something else that add up to being heavy for her size. She has spindly arms, very sturdy legs with fabric boots sewn on. She is all stockinette. Her slip and panties are sewn on. Her dress is a red calico print and is mended on the front with a red panel and one arm of the dress is badly torn. Her face has with button eyes and a pinched raised nose, and a very tiny red embroidered mouth. She has the astr...

Antique toy dog with a squeaker, glass eyes, hand sewn and was mohair of sorts but now is worn down to the brown fabric. He is firmly stuffed with straw. He has an old fabric collar tied around his neck. He is 7 1/2" long and is 5" tall and is circa 1880-90. He has a very nice face.

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.

17" black sock doll with shoe button eyes, flat black button nose and applied soft red floss mouth. She is stuffed firmly with rags. She has on a while slip, white pantaloons and a gray blouse with red trim. The clothes are old but not original. She bends so she sits nicely. She has a cute expression that says, no fooling around here I have lots to think about. Circa 1900-1920

A bold and beautiful tinsel, or foil, painting, reverse painted on glass. The subject matter is a yellow and white urn, filled with a bountiful array of various flowers, done in a rainbow of colors. The period and probably original frame is of high quality mahogany, which is very rarely found on this type of work.

The painting is in overall excellent condition, and the frame itself has some scuffing and wear, which could easily be touched up. The sight size is 12" by 10 3/4", and the framed si...

A very nice and unusual pencil face doll with sewn on brown ticking skirt that was made as a stump doll. She never had legs, see picture. She is 10" to the bottom of her skirt and 8" to the bottom of her body. She is firmly stuffed with cotton and is truly a prairie type country primitive doll. Circa 1880-90.

This is the biggest Amish doll I have ever owned. She has really nice age, is heavily stuffed with rags and cotton, hinged arms and legs, and the best clothing. She has had lots of being played with so it is a given that the clothes are not original. The dress is a little big for her and early 1900's as well as her undergarments but the bonnet and the cape are very early and terrific. She sits nicely and is the center of attraction where ever she is. She is 22" tall and circa 1890-1900

A nice simple cutwork heart that is 3" by 2 3/4". It is set on the black paper but is not attached to it. The color is a very soft pink to mauve and white . There is a slight bit of foxing that shows up more in the pictures than it does by sight. It is unframed and they way I bought. Circa 1850-70.

This tall lollipop head pencil face doll has lots to tell. One look at her body tells you many hands have fixed her up. She has one replaced arm, patches and holes on her legs and feet. She has the tiniest of a waist and the biggest of the hips that I have seen. She is nice and early and is all hand sewn. Her pantaloons have been on her so long they look like her body. Her dress is all hand sewn and in tatters here and there. She has a face on either side of her head and she has feet that turn i...

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...

19th C. crepe paper doll dress is the best blue color. It has a lighter blue crepe paper belt with a gold paper buckle. It opens and slips over the paper dolls head. It is in very nice condition. 3 1/2" top to bottom and is circa 1880

Five early paper dolls dressed in crepe paper dresses. When I bought them I was told they were made to hang on the Christmas tree and it is true some of the have thread hangers on the back. They are very nice and unusual. They range in size from 7 1/2" to about 10" and date to the 1880's.

Dressed in a blue calico dress this sweet little stump rag doll has a lot going for her. She has an ink drawn face, a lollipop head, and a body that flares out but stops at the hips and never had legs. If I was a mother back in the 19th C. I would have been mighty pleased with myself that I thought up the stump doll concept. It really works, and makes for a very nice doll. She is rag stuffed, has dainty little arms, and a nice blue calico striped dress. The dress has a hole in the back and it co...

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.

A wonderful character cloth doll that just might be one of the earliest selfies. I can imagine a grandmother making a doll in her likeness to give to a child that is not living close by but loves her Grammy. This doll has a face created by using same color thread and string to sew on the face for knotted string eyes, applied nose and a golden floss for her mouth. She is made with a heavy cotton homespun and is stuffed with a grain. She is very heavy. She has a stick from the top of her head that...