Catalog: Fine Art: Paintings (41)

Early to mid-20th century miniature portrait in watercolor on ivory depicting the most wonderful baby, so full of charm and character. She wears a gold bracelet and pendant (and nothing else!), and his holding a letter. She has the cutest smile! Set in gilt metal pendant frame, which sits in a velvet and silk-lined leather case. Painting is in excellent condition; case is scuffed. Measures 3” by 2 1/4”.

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...

Sweet 19th century oil on copper painting, depicting a still life of flower, set in a gold velvet Victorian frame. Good condition; one spot of damage to paint at 3 o’clock; the backing is missing; velvet is worn on one side. Measures 8” by 5”.

19th century folk art portrait miniature of a young woman. The sitter has brown shoulder-length hair; she wears a deep blue dress. Set in a gilt and velvet mount; there’s no glass. Some dirt and a few tiny water spots, but otherwise good condition. Measures 4 1/2” by 3 1/2”; sight size is 3” by 2 1/8”

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”.

This is a charming folk portrait of a boy, in watercolor on card, dating from the second quarter of the 19th century, probably the 1840’s. The inscription on the reverse reads: “Alfred G. Haley/picture taken when/he was five years old,/whilst repeating/Edwin and Angelina/by Mr Jerome”. The little portrait has condition problems: foxing and fading throughout – and a wonderful make-do repair featuring both glue and stitching. Measures 3 1/4” by 2 3/8”.

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).

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.

Wonderful portrait miniature of a group of seven children, six young girls and a baby, by Swiss artist Henri Louis Convert (1789-1863). They emerge from a rosy cloud background: two girls wear white dresses, two wear pink, and two blue – the baby wears nothing! Their hairstyles are each different, from braided pigtails to braids looped over the ears, to braids shaped at the back...

Adorable 19th century watercolor on card miniature portrait of a girl in a blue bonnet holding a little spaniel in her arms. Very provincial and folky. Painting is in excellent condition; a little loose in its gilt frame; chips to frame. Measures 5 1/4” by 4 1/8”; sight size 3 5/8” by 2 5/8”.

Wonderful folk art portrait miniature of a baby, in watercolor and pencil on card, dated 1849. What’s amazing about this little picture is that the baby is harnessed into the 19th century version of a Johnny Jump Up. She (her split-leg dress is pink so I’m assuming she’s a girl) hangs from a circular frame and presumably can jump and amuse herself. Red shoes, pink cheeks and dress. Signed “GC 1849); remnants of a label on the back say the same thing...

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”.

Fine and fabulous Georgian portrait miniature cut silhouettes of a boy and a girl, facing each other, bronzed and highlighted and laid on card. The detail is fantastic, from her frilly and beribboned bonnet to his ruffled collar and gold buttons. Super bird’s eye maple veneer frame. All in very good condition: some staining to paper background, some nicks to frame and staining to paper backing. Measures 7 1/2” by 6”; sight size is 4 7/8” by 3 1/8”.

Charming English portrait miniature in watercolor and pencil on paper of a young girl, in three-quarter profile, circa the 1820’s. She wears a white dress with sash and ribboned sleeves; her brown hair is worn short, in a simple style. The reverse bears an old sticker that reads “Drawing-room/22/?E Bardley-Powell.” There was a Bardsley-Powell family at Horton Hall in Yorkshire; this may come from them...

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)...

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”.

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”.

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”.