Catalog: Fine Art: Paintings (41)

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...

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”.

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”.

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”.

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”.

An English School portrait miniature in watercolor of a sweet lady, circa 1770. She wears a blue dress and white fichu with a rose at her corsage, and a matching blue and white bonnet and blue ribbon choker. Set into a fishskin traveling case. Good condition: there’s a small area of water damage to the far right side and a tiny chip to the glass at the top. Measures 1 1/2” by 1 3/8”.

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”.

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”.

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”.

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”.

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...

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”.

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...

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”.

Well-painted 19th century Continental portrait miniature of a young gentleman in watercolor on ivory. The sitter has shoulder-length black hair and wear a dark green coat. Original gilt metal mount in turned wood frame. There’s some dust and possibly some mold under the glass; ivory has shrunk and shifted so that there’s a slight gap to the right edge, where there’s also a spot of paint loss. Measures 4” by 3 1/2”; sight size is 2 1/4” by 1 7/8”.

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”

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...

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”.