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...

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...

Early all hand sewn with tiny stitches black doll. The embroidered face is outstanding with the raised eyes, the pupils on a bed of white layered thread and her mouth is also done that same technique. For hair she has cotton floss thread sewn to her head and it is most effective. She has attached arms and legs so she sits easily. Her body is stuffed firmly with cotton. Over all she is in very good condition with only slight discoloration from age and use...

A nice A M doll with composition body. Original wig, no repairs or cracks, sleep eyes and flapper dress and bonnet. She is 14" tall. Her arms need to be tightened or restrung and she is missing one shoe.

A very nice 19th C. doll with embroidered face, calico button eyes, a tiny cute upside down u shaped nose, yarn hair, a bit sparse and looks like a trim job by little hands and scissors. She has a body firmly stuffed with cotton. She has an hour glass figure and nicely jointed so she sits easily. Her dress is not original but fits her really nicely and she has a gathered top purse to go along with her dress and hat. She is 25" tall and is circa 1880-90. She is a bright and happy doll.

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.

An antique watercolor painting of an early Maine farm house with out buildings. It is a modest setting but with a very neat and tidy welcoming look. It is 6 by 9" and with mat and frame is 9 3/4" by 13". It show lines where is was folded at one time. I have not had it out of the frame. ( I bought this in an estate sale in Maine so I am assuming it is Maine but it doesn't have to be.)

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 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...

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...

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.

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...

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.

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

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...

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...

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 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 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.

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...

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 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.

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.

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...

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.

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

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 ...

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...

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...

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 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".

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. The frame is in good condition with a number of very small scattered flecks of paint ...

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 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. Sight size is 23...

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...

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. The sight size is 15 1/2" ...

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 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".

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.

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.

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.

The miniature is in a beautiful, cast foliate, period lo...

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 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. The atmosphere that the artist impart...

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 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. Rather than sadness, however, the painting conveys a feeling of pensiveness and serenity.

Th...

A folky miniature portrait painting of a young man. With his stylish hairdo, high collar, and patterned vest, and pin, the gentleman exemplifies a dandy of the time. The blue hues in the background provide a striking contrast to the relatively monochromatic tones of the sitter.

The miniature is 2 3/8" by 1 3/4" and is housed in its original 2 1/2" by 2" brass case, which also has a lock of hair in the rear aperture. Condition is excellent, with no cracks, bowing, or paint flaking.

A wonderful American folk art portrait of a Methodist minister painted by Ammi Phillips (1788–1865). The distinguished gentleman is sitting at a table, with his hand holding a pair of spectacles and resting on a Methodist hymnal. The finely rendered depiction of the large dominating figure with dark clothing emphasizes the gravitas of the sitter.

The painting is 32 5/8 inches by 27 1/4 inches sight size, and 37 7/8 inches by 32 3/4 inches framed size. The painting is in overall excellent co...

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. This is consistent with Walton's development as an artist, when he began to paint the faces of his subjects with mod...

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". The paintings have been laid down on stiffer paper and are not smeared, touched up, ...

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. The last digit of the year was removed, as was often the case to hide the exact age of the maker.

Martha Graham was born in 1815, the daughter of Reverend Rober...

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...

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...

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. The glass ...

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.
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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.
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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.