Catalog: Fine Art: Paintings (41)

Portrait miniature of a lady, circa 1850. Features a very attractive woman in cap and red dress with white fichu and white shawl in a gilt wood frame. Frame is backed with the original paper. Condition: Good. Needs cleaning (spot of dirt on one cheek). Small gaps at top and bottom. Measures 3 1/2 by 2 3/4 inches (sight size 2 1/2 by 1 3/4 inches).

An English school portrait miniature of a lovely young lady, wearing a white dress and a blue shawl, circa 1810. Set in a gilt metal mount backed with purple card, she measures 2 1/8 inches high. Condition: very good; small blemish to edge of glass at 3 o'clock.

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.

The most adorable portrait of a baby holding a rattle, watercolor on card, circa the early 19th century. Set in a red leather case, lined with purple silk, this little painting has faded somewhat over the years, but the details of her sweet face, her cap and dress and rattle, are quite clear. Case is worn, but hinge and one hook (the other is missing) are functional. Measures 3” by 2 ½”.

A delightful, late 18th century English School watercolor portrait of a cherub playing a tambourine. Set in a malachite veneered frame. The cherub is beautifully painted; the frame is cracked and repaired. Measures 1 ½” by 1 ¼”; sight size 1 1/16” by ¾”.

Early 19th Century English School portrait miniature of Elizabeth Rowe (1767-1837), in watercolor on ivory. The sitter is wearing a white cap and fichu with a grey dress, and is seated against a sky background. Inscribed on old label on reverse: “Elizabeth Rowe/My Dear Mother/Born June 10th 1767/Died December 4th 1837/Aged 70.” Verre eglomise mount, turned fruitwood and papier mache frame...

Lovely English School portrait miniature in watercolor of a beautiful girl, circa 1835. The sitter wears a white dress with peach colored shawl. Her upswept hair is dressed in ringlets. Condition is good: some dirt or light mold under the glass. Large chip in upper right corner of the frame. Gilded gesso frame with Cheltenham framer’s label on reverse. Measures 6 ¾” by 6”; sight size is 3 5/8” by 3”.

Early 19th century pen and ink silhouette portrait inscribed “Ann Wilson, died August 20th, 1840, Buried Ilford.” Ann wears a fichu and a very ornate bonnet – the detail is wonderful! Cut-out and highlighted silhouette is laid on a white ground and mounted in a turned wood frame. Good condition; some dust and foxing, and an odd red spot on the brim of her bonnet! Frame measures 5 5/8” in diameter; sight size is 3 ¾”.

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”.

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.

Utterly charming French school portrait miniature of a lady, in watercolor on ivory, circa 1800-1820. The young lady is standing with her arms folded, wearing a white dress and gold link bracelet, her long red hair peeking out from under a white embroidered or lace stole over her head. The painting is wonderfully detailed, down to the pattern and scalloped border of the stole! Excellent condition. Gilt metal frame with new card backing and coated wire hanger. Measures 2 1/2”.

An English School silhouette portrait of a gentleman in a military costume, circa 1810. He is reverse painted on convex glass in black, and heightened with gold. Set in a turned wood frame. Some losses to paint, but very nice! Backing is missing. Measures 4 1/4” by 3 3/8”; sight size 2 3/4” by 2”.

A pair of English Provincial School portrait miniatures of a lady and a gentleman, in watercolor on ivory, circa 1820. The lady wears a white dress with a red shawl around her shoulders; her blond curls peek out from under a white turban decorated with berries. She has the most quizzical expression! The gent looks very sour, and wears a brown coat with white cravat and stock. Set in gilded frames. Good condition; some dust under the glass; his face is a bit faded...

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 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”...

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...

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!)...

English portrait miniature in watercolor on ivory of a young gentleman, circa 1840. The sitter has a strong jaw adorned by sideburns and fashionably disheveled hair; he wears a black stock and coat over a white shirt. Set into papier mache frame. Good condition; white background may be over painted. Measures 5 1/4” by 4 1/2”; sight size is 2 3/4” by 2”.