Catalog: Fine Art: Paintings (41)

A delightful portrait miniature in watercolor on ivory of Georgiana Charlotte Booker, by British artist William Smith, circa 1775. Georgina wears a white dress with a pink waistband; her blond hair curls around her shoulders. William Smith, who worked in Scotland and London, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1774 and in 1802. This portrait is signed “SMITH” in capital letters. The large greenish area to her right may well be original...

Very fine British portrait miniature in watercolor of a gentleman, circa 1790. The imposing gent wears a blue coat with gold buttons, white waistcoat, and tied white cravat with a garnet or ruby stickpin. He is posed rather grandly in a chair, by a column. Wonderful condition; bit of dust toward bottom; a bit loose in frame (right edge visible). Measures 8 ¼” by 7 ¼”; sight size is 4 ¼” by 3 ¼”.

Fine American portrait miniature, circa 1810-1820, of John Bixby of New Hampshire. The portrait comes with provenance tracking the family to a Baltimore descendant. The sitter is a handsome curly red-haired gent, with a high white collar and cravat, and black coat. He’s set in half of a red leather traveling case. Bixby was born in Dublin, NH, in 1790, and married Jeanette Chapman in 1819 (perhaps this portrait was done for her!)...

Wonderful portrait miniature in watercolor on paper of a striking young gentleman, facing left, by J. H. Gillespie, circa the 1830’s. Gillespie worked in London, Edinburgh and Liverpool in the 1820’s before moving to North America. He was in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1829, Baltimore in 1837 and Philadelphia in 1838 (he was also working in New York at some point)...

A pair of early 19th century portrait miniatures in watercolor on paper, of a lady and gentleman identified as Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Hutchinson, by silhouette artist J. H. Gillespie. Gillespie worked in London, Edinburgh and Liverpool in the 1820’s before moving to North America. He was in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1829, Baltimore in 1837 and Philadelphia in 1838 (he was also working in New York at some point)...

Early 19th century portrait miniature in watercolor depicting a young gentleman in a 9k gold brooch and pendant frame. The sitter has lovely short auburn curly and wears a dark blue coat with a gold button over a white vest, and a stock with a stickpin. The reverse features seed pearl initials over brown plated hair with a cobalt glass surround. The whole is set in a gold foliate frame...

Portrait miniature in watercolor on ivory of a curly-haired young man, by German artist Josef Krall (fl. c. 1785-1840). The young gent wears a blue coat with a yellow waistcoat and a white stock. He wears a ribbon in red, black and white, probably a medal or order of some kind. The portrait is signed “Krall, pxt. 1818” and set in a period gilt brass brooch frame. Measures 2 1/8” by 1 3/4”...

Unusual and adorable 19th century portrait miniature in watercolor on ivory of a little boy holding a parrot, probably French or German. The little boy has curly auburn hair and wears a blue jacket with rows of buttons and a wide lace collar. He holds a parrot (or another colorful green bird) in his hands. Gilt metal mount is set into a ebonized and turned wood frame with paper backing. Painting appears to be in good condition, but the glass is diseased and needs to be replaced...

An unusual and fine watercolor and needlework portrait, circa 1800, worked in colored silks with painted details on an ivory silk ground, depicting a lady in ermine-trimmed robes, leaning on a tomb in a wooded landscape. Dress and tomb are stitched; her features and the background are painted. Measures 12 ½” by 11” in a verre eglomise mount. Needlework is in excellent condition; some losses to frame.

Portrait circa 1840, English or American, of a young gentleman, possibly a cleric, with black cravat, white waistcoat and black coat, set in a leather frame. Sight size 2 7/8" high; frame is 6 1/2". Painting is in excellent condition; leather frame is scuffed and worn; glass is scuffed around the edges. Measures 6 1/2” by 4 7/8”; sight size 2 7/8” by 2 1/4”.

English School portrait miniature in watercolor on ivory of a young woman, circa 1830. The sitter has dark hair and wears a white gown with a wonderful pointed collar. Set in a pierced gilt metal frame. Very good condition; slight rubbing to the right of her face. Sight size is 2 1/2” by 2”. in watercolor on ivory of a young woman, circa 1830. The sitter has dark hair and wears a white gown with a wonderful pointed collar. Set in a pierced gilt metal frame. Very good condition; sli...

Portrait miniature in watercolor of a woman in a fashionable turban, circa 1840. Her gold curls peek out from under the turban; she wears a black dress with sheer lace fichu and collar, seed pearl dangle earrings, and garnet and seed pearl brooch. The details of her face and attire are quite skillful. Set in a gilt metal frame with silk reverse. Very good condition. Background paint is crazed and lifting in spots. Measures 3 1/4” by 2 5/8”.

Beautiful portrait miniature of a young woman, possibly American, painted in watercolor on ivory, circa 1835. She wears a black dress, and finely detailed white organdy frill-edged collar over a red scarf. Her hair is set in waves and one can see a tortoise comb at the crown! Set in gilded and carved wood frame. There is indistinct script on the back of the frame, possibly German. Portrait is in good condition; some small lifting to paint toward tip of scarf ends; some dust and perhaps a bit...

A 19th century English portrait miniature in watercolor, set in a silver frame, with a hair reverse set with paste stones. The sitter is a lady with lovely red hair, wearing a white lace fichu, gold earrings and gold brooch. The reverse is spectacular: two gorgeous feathered curls of her deep red hair on white silk under glass, surrounded by a border of small paste stones. Measures 2 1/2 by 2 inches. Condition is excellent; one paste stone deficient.

Charming English Provincial School portrait miniature in watercolor on ivory of a young woman, circa 1820. She wears a lace cap, a white gown and a black floral shawl and sits against a dark sky background. The painting is in good condition, with some dirt at the edges and two spots of water damage at two and three o’clock. Set in a red leather traveling case, which is a complete mess: split in half, glass loose, lining shattered. Measures 3 3/4” by 3”.

Early 19th C. English School portrait miniature in watercolor of a young gentleman with auburn hair. He is dressed in a white cravat and dark blue coat with large buttons and set in a gilt metal mount in an oval red leather traveling case. Portrait is in very good condition; case is quite scuffed and worn; silk lining is also worn shattered. Measures 3 3/8” by 2 7/8”; sight size is 2 1/2” by 2”.

Early 19th century folk art portrait miniature in watercolor on ivory of a natty young gentleman. He has careful waved brown hair and wears a white shirt with gold stickpin, black stock, maroon waistcoat with elaborate watch chain and a black coat. Interesting original foliate gilt metal frame, with silk in a compartment on the reverse. Glass is dirty; some retouching to his nose, possibly in oil; wear to frame; glass is missing from compartment on reverse. Measures 2 1/4” by 1 17/8”.

Georgian portrait miniature in watercolor of a middle-aged gentleman. The sitter has a very commanding face: square jaw, prominent nose, strong eyebrows. He wears a modest white cravat, canary yellow waistcoat, and dark blue coat. Set into a gold pendant frame with glazed silk reverse. Painting is in excellent condition, but the case has been mangled a bit – lots of dents and dings ) one has taken a tiny chip out of the ivory at one o’clock. Measures 2 7/8” by 2 1/4”.