A wonderful miniature by Daniel Dickinson of a handsome gentleman. The sitter is dressed in the height of fashion for the time, wearing a blue jacket with velvet lapels. Note the broadness of the brush strokes and chiseled modeling of the face, both characteristics of Daniel's style, contrasting with his brother Anson's work.
The frame deserves special mention, being gilt silver with a 14K gold back and central plaque with "AM" initials. It is quite thick and weighs about 3 1/2 ounces...
This is a rather large portrait miniature done in body color and watercolor on ivory. The signature on the lower right is "P(or T)ouktuz Sta??er". The signature and attire indicate the painting was probably done by an Eastern European or Russian artist. The subject of this 19th century work is an attractive young girl from a wealthy family, based on the expensive clothing (the fur coat, gloves, hat, and boots)...
This charming miniature, done in watercolor on natural wafer, shows a little girl who obviously just spent time working diligently picking enough berries to fill her basket. Judging by her slight smile, she either had fun doing that, or is anticipating enjoying the (literal) fruits of her labors...
A rare c1835 American miniature by Mrs. Samuel Richardson (1790 - 1852), nee Schetky. It took quite a while, using various lighting settings and filters, to finally discern the almost illegible S (?) Richardson signature along the extreme right. That led me to one of the very few examples of her miniatures, one of which is in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Kansas City, MO), which confirmed my interpretation...
A lovely and ethereal miniature of a blond-haired, blue-eyed beautiful young girl. Signed center left "T.R. Manley 1900", it is in its original gilt sterling case with a beaded edge, with the reverse appearing to be evenly tarnished. Excellent condition with no problems, and measuring 3 1/4" by 2 3/4".
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE : Thomas Rathbone Manley (1853 - 1938), later referred to as "The Dean of the Montclair (NJ) Artists"...
A c1840 portrait, attributed to Richard Morrell Staigg, of a handsome older gentleman with a stately presence. Shown in a 2 3/8" by 2" gilt metal case with a glazed aperture in the reverse.
Both the painting and the case are in excellent condition. The lower central section of the painting is not damaged, but was intentionally painted that way, possibly to indicate that the sitter has passed away...
A portrait miniature done by Moses B. Russell and I wish I could say more about this painting or the sitter, but the original backing paper, where Russell signed and often threatened people (incorrectly) not to remove the paper, has been removed. However, the painting was clearly done by Russell and closely mirrors one in the Metropolitan Museum...
A c1835 delightful and rare miniature by Pamelia Hill, depicting an attractive young woman with hazel eyes and reddish hair gathered in a snood. She is wearing drop earrings and a brooch just below the lace edging of her pleated, deep blue dress. And, of course, the aforementioned snood. Snood, snood, snood...that word always makes me smile...
A beautiful French portrait miniature signed "Mie Bost" center right by Mélanie Bost. The sitter is a young girl in a white lace dress with blue ribbons at the shoulders, her hair parted down the center. Presented in a gold frame with a red glass over guilloche work surround, with small pearls to the exterior border. The reverse with a mother-of-pearl back and a gilt metal pin...
A beautiful c1840 miniature, painted on natural material by Thomas Seir Cummings. The sitter, a gray-eyed young woman, is in a pale pink off the shoulder dress, and is resting against a blue cushion. The reverse is inscribed in pen with an illegible name and "22 yrs". Presented in a bronze surround set into a burl wood frame. Excellent condition with no issues...
A superb miniature portrait of a handsome blue-eyed gentleman. Presented in a cast foliate frame with a hair tress in the glazed aperture on the reverse. Excellent condition. 2 3/8" by 2".
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Thomas Seir Cummings was born in England in 1804, and was taken to NYC as a child, where he remained until he retired in 1866. He died in NJ in 1894. Cummings became a student of Henry Inman in 1821 and after three years went into partnership with him, which lasted several years. Wi...
A fine miniature portrait, attributed to J.V. Sturgeon, showing a woman in a black dress with a sunset behind her. Presented in its original gilt foliate case with empty glazed aperture. Excellent condition with no issues to speak of. The sight size is 2 1/2" by 2", with an overall size of 2 5/8" by 2 1/8".
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Sturgeon, active 1825-1835, is by no means a well-known artist in spite of having exhibited at the American Academy of Fine Arts in N.Y. He is also known to have work...
A superbly painted miniature portrait by the important American miniaturist Anson Dickinson, originally in a heavy wooden frame that was damaged, but now housed under glass in one half of a dag case. The reverse of the original frame has quite a bit of information on it, indicating that the sitter is Ambrose Dickinson, one of Anson's nine siblings. (It might be appropriate at this point to briefly pause in sympathy for Anson's mom, even though she was an underachiever compared to the wife of Th...
A charming and unusual Continental portrait miniature, painted in watercolors on natural wafer. Except for a very small number of miniaturists, and occasional examples by other miniaturists, the full profile format is quite rare. In this example the sitter is wearing a blue dress, gold earring, and a pearl necklace. Of obvious impression on the viewer is a very large white head covering, with yellow decoration, of a type that cannot quite be called a bonnet or hat.
The painting is presente...
A c1790 fine miniature done by John Barry. This portrait of a gentleman in a gray coat, with his powdered hair en queue, is an extremely well painted example, and in excellent condition. Presented in a 1 7/8" by 1 1/2" period gilt metal case.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: John Barry, who lived in London and was active from 1784 to 1827, exhibited at the Royal Academy during this period. Among his sitters was Rev. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Barry's works are in various museums, including ...
This rare and fine pair of portrait miniatures were painted by John Porter in organic wafers. Each is signed "J.S. Porter 1824 Pinxt". The sitters are a well off husband and wife.
The condition of the miniatures is excellent, with no issues to speak of. Each is under glass, with card backing, gilt metal matting, and gilt foil edging. They are presented in a A.P. Critchlow & Co. case which still retains its original label and is also in excellent condition. Sight size of the paintings is 2...
A fine portrait miniature, painted on natural wafer, by Julius Rubens Ames. The sitter is a gray-eyed gentleman of serious demeanor, attired in a black coat and vest with a white shirt and tie. Presented in a cast foliate case with a glazed aperture on the reverse. Also housed in a red leather, probably original, travel case.
The condition of the painting is excellent, with no flaws to speak of. The sight size is 2 1/2" by 2".
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Julius Rubens Ames was born in Albany, NY ...
An extremely fine miniature portrait by John Henry Brown, done in watercolors on natural material. One of the best examples of his skill, showing an attractive woman, beautifully painted. Adding to the importance of this piece is that Brown used a trompe l'oeil technique in painting what appears to be matting around the portrait. Signed "J Brown Pinxt" lower left along the curved line of the matte. Inside the case was a piece of paper with information about the sitter: "Mary E. Mathias Lancas...
A nicely executed watercolor, on natural material, of a gent in a black coat with white stock and ruffled shirt. Presented in the original gilt metal case with hair work under glazing on the reverse.
The overall condition is fine, with some tiny dust motes under the glass. The white areas circling the top half are reflections from the chamfered cover glass. Overall frame size is 2 1/4" by 2".
A very finely drawn miniature of an extremely handsome man, done en grisaille on organic material by H.M.S. Stuart.
The sitter is Sir Dugald Stuart, 2nd Baronet of Ardmaleish and Bute and the painting is signed, dated and inscribed on the reverse:
"From a drawing on/Vellum of Sir Dugald/Stuart, father of the first Earl of Bute;/in the possession of/the Marquess of Bute/at Mount Stuart/by H M. S. Stuart/Decbr 1841".
Presented in a rectangular ebonized frame, both the painting and ...
A miniature portrait painting, watercolor on natural wafer, done by Mary Ann Knight at her best. The sitter is a very young woman with large and contemplative grayish-blue eyes and long brown hair with a jeweled ornament. She is dressed in the Grecian style in a blue gown with low decolletage topped with a draped diaphanous yellow scarf with a centered brooch. Adding a wonderful enhancement to the mythic feel of this charming work is the lyre held by the sitter.
The painting is in excelle...
This fine work, done in watercolor and bodycolor on organic material, was most probably done in Naples. The sitter is an attractive child looking directly at the viewer and holding a jumping jack toy of Pulcinella, a classical character that originated in commedia dell'arte of the 17th century and became a stock character in Neapolitan puppetry. The reverse of the portrait is also quite special, with its plaited hair, ivory plaque, golden hair work initials, metallic threads, and pearls.
The ...
A fine miniature portrait, attributed to J.V. Sturgeon, of a gent posed in front of a green curtain with blue skies visible through the window. This type of setting is uncommon in American minis, but has been done by Sturgeon in some of his works.
The miniature is set in the original gilded copper pendant with a glazed aperture on the reverse containing plaited dark hair. Excellent condition with no issues to speak of. The sight size is 2 1/2" by 2", with an overall size of 2 5/8" by 2 1/8".
An unusual and spectacular pair of portrait miniatures. Although both are signed by Moses B. Russell, it is almost certain, due to slight technique variances, that the portrait of the woman was done by Mrs. Moses B. Russell, nee Clarissa Peters. Although it is known that some of his signed pieces were, in fact, done by her, I know of no other instance where each artist did one of a pair.
The paintings are in excellent condition, with vibrant colors and no cracks, bowing, mold, retouch, ...
A fine miniature of a handsome gent with strawberry blond hair, painted by Henry Jacob Burch. Adding to the desirability of this example is the Burch trade card that was fitted to the back of the painting, rarely seen in his works.
Excellent condition, with an overall size of 2 3/4" by 2 1/4".
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Henry Jacob Burch was born in London in 1763. He entered the Royal Academy Schools at the age of 16, and exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1787 to 1834. Examples of his wor...
A mourning portrait miniature attributed to John Henry Brown of an attractive young woman with blue eyes and long curly hair. The painting is in excellent condition with no problems. The velvet lined leather case is also in excellent condition, with normal and expected light wear to the exterior. The white flecks in the photographs are dust motes, and not present in person. Sight size is 3" by 2 1/2", and the case size is 3 5/8" by 3 1/8".
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: John Henry Brown (1818-1891), b...
A wonderful miniature portrait, on natural material, painted and signed lower left, by Peter Lens. The sitter, a young woman in a yellow gown and white fichu, is shown against a startling blue background.
The condition of the miniature is excellent with no problems or flaws. The white area at the lower edge is light reflection. The size of the pendant gilt metal case is 1 7/8" by 1 1/2".
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Peter Paul Lens (1714? - 1750?) was apprenticed in 1729 to his father, Bernard Lens...
A nice example of a miniature portrait, painted by Nathaniel Hancock on organic material. The sitter is a woman in a blue gown with a lace edged bodice. The gold case has chamfered glass on the front, and the reverse identifies the sitter as "Ridgely 1791."
The condition of this little gem is very fine, with no flaws to speak of. There was some minimal clean-up of a few painting drips in the background. Overall size is 1 3/4" by 1 1/2".
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Information about Hancock is rel...
A finely painted portrait of a beautiful young woman, done in watercolor on natural wafer. The sitter, identified on the reverse as "Wife of Dr. Kent" is attired in a simple white gown, with no jewelry or other embellishments shown, and is presented against a multicolored background.
The painting is in excellent condition, with no flaws to speak of. The later case shows some wear, and has a cardboard or leather backing. Overall size is 2 5/8" by 2 1/8".
A well painted portrait miniature, on organic wafer, of a blue eyed gentleman wearing a deep blue coat, white ascot, shirt, and vest. Presented in a brass frame.
The condition is excellent, with no issues to speak of. The reddish area on the edge from 9:00 to 12:00 is due to light reflection. The painting appears much better in person than the photo shows. Framed size is 2 1/2" by 2".
A fine miniature portrait by Augustus Fuller, done on natural material. The sitter is an attractive hazel-eyed woman sporting sausage curls and wearing a white lace bonnet, a white lace fichu with a centered brooch, and a black dress. Fuller took pains in this painting to the extent of showing details of the dress design with faint white highlights, shown in the second photo.
The condition of the painting is excellent, and viewed in person the miniature is far better than the photo shows. The...
This fine miniature portrait was painted in watercolor on organic material by Henry Shumway. Depicting the attractive blue-eyed sitter in a white gown and adorned only with an earring, he chose to present her with a simple classical elegance.
The condition of the miniature is excellent, with no issues, as is the gilt metal case with a glazed aperture on the reverse.
The case size is 3 1/8" by 2 5/8".
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Henry Colton Shumway (1807, CT - 1884, NY) studied, probably with T...
A wonderful example of a portrait miniature painted by Mrs. Moses B. Russell (nee Clarissa Peters). This work, done in watercolors on natural wafer, is of a blue-eyed woman wearing a black dress with a brooch centered at the lace-edged bodice. Her strong visage, looking directly into eyes of the viewer, is offset by a beautiful and soft multi-colored background. Housed in a cast foliate case with the reverse engraved "SAWC" and having a lock of hair in the glazed aperture.
The condition of the...
A miniature portrait, done in watercolor on organic wafer, and signed on the reverse: "Painted by/ T. Barratt/ 136 Chestnut/ Phila/ 1838". The sitter is a young gentleman with sideburns, wearing a black jacket and cravat. Presented in a gilt metal foliate case with an empty glazed rear aperture.
The painting has no chips, cracks, bowing, mold, paint loss, etc., with the case also being in fine condition. The overall size is 2 3/4" by 2 3/8".
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Thomas E. Barratt (c1814 -...
An interesting pair of miniature portraits, painted on organic wafer. Framed in a slightly different manner, there is no question these were done by the same artist at the same time.
Fairchild is an
obscure artist, with very few, if any, signed works. This attribution is based on the similarity in technique to an example in a book by Bolton, and information that the pair came from a couple living in CT who are purportedly descendants of the artist.
No condition issues to speak of, with...
A fine miniature portrait on natural wafer, done en grisaille in watercolor and ink against a blue background. The sitter, an older woman wearing a lace cap and fichu, is beautifully limned in profile, an uncommon approach. Housed in a gold plated metal frame with fabric on the reverse.
There are no condition problems with the painting, which measures 2 1/2" in diameter.
PROVENANCE: The well-known Dr. Leo Catzenstein Collection, and thence to his descendants.
