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”.

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...

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...

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)...

English portrait miniature in watercolor on ivory of a gentleman, circa 1820. The sitter wears a black coat over a white shirt and cravat. Set in red leather traveling case with red velvet lining. Good condition; slight paint loss to edge at ten o’clock; wear to velvet and case exterior. Measures 3 3/4” by 3 1/4”.

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 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!). Their daughter, Mary Elizabeth Bixby, married Edward Bigel...

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. Set in a later gilt metal frame with a glazed silk rev...

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”. The portrait came from a private collection in Jersey, England, via Morton’s Auction Exchange...

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 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. Frames are a bit scuffed ...

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”.

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 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.

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”.

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”.

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 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. Painting nicely done and in very good condition; fruitwood frame is split in two places, glass has a f...

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”.

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 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.

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.

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).