email: [email protected]
phone: 585-385-9002

THE PUFFY SLEEVE ARTIST

SCARCE PAIR
of Silhouette Portraits


Pictured in the
Magazine Antiques
 

Massachusetts, ca. 1830. Hollow-cut silhouettes with gouache on paper.

It’s been 20 years since I last handled a pair by the Puffy Sleeve Artist, who is now believed to be Ezra Wood. Profiles by the Puffy Sleeve Artist are immediately recognizable given characteristics like the distinctive way their bodies are turned toward the front while their heads remain in profile, woman wear the fashionable dress of that period with exaggerated puffy sleaves and iconic little hands at their tiny waists, men have broad chests, and both women and men have hands that are oddly shaped and colored. They often hold books (sometimes date 1830 or 1831) or other accoutrements.

From the Magazine Antiques, July/August 2014 “UNMISTAKEN IDENTITY”, Michael & Suzanne Paine and Sam Herrup: “For Americana and Folk Art collectors, among the most sought after silhouette portraits from the early 19th century are those produced by an individual who has been nicknamed the Puffy Sleeve Silhouette Artist”. The article makes the case that the Puffy Sleeve Artist was Ezra Wood, Buckland, Massachusetts. In that same article is pictured this pair of portraits, page 127, of Harriet and John Wilder, and notes that they are of an unusual larger size for this artist. Harriet has a particularly beautiful profile. The portraits are in excellent condition with minor toning. The frames are probably original. Frames each about 6 x 5 inches.

Until recently in a long time Maine collection. In addition to the Magazine Antiques, see “A LOVING LIKENESS”, the collection of Ray Egan, for many more examples and more detailed information on the characteristics that identify portraits by the Puffy Sleeve Artist.    
. 

MORE INFO

SMALL BIBLE OR VALUABLES BOX IN ORIGINAL RED PAINT
.....SOLD  

New England, ca. late 18th.

Pine, and basswood with original dark very dry crusty red paint. Also retains original iron hinges, lock, key, and side batons. (lock and key still function). The brass escutcheon shows no signs of being replaced. Nicely molded front of lid. Joinery by early cut nails. The box in excellent condition with just minor period wear. Interior crisp and clean and has a pencil inscription under the lid as shown.

Just 19 ½ inches wide x 8 tall x 10 deep, a desirable smaller example of this form.   

Read more

Miniature Iron Spatula
.....SOLD

Pennsylvania, ca. early 19th century.

Blacksmith-worked in iron. Perhaps for showcasing his skill or “just for nice” this rare little survivor was worked from a single rod of iron into a flat blade with stylized pierced heart and a faceted swelled handle with conical terminus.

Terrific surface and condition. Just 5 ¼ inches long.

Read more

Choice
Human-Effigy Ladle
.....SOLD

Woodlands Native American, Great Lakes to Northeast, ca. mid 19th century.

Expertly and thinly carved from cherrywood using the woodworking skills and design language learned and passed down through generations. The back-facing effigy is a “reductive” representation of a man showing just his minimal essence, the carving possibly representing an honored ancestor.

Deep rich color to the cherrywood. Personal size at about 6 ½ inches long; bowl about 3 inches across. Superb condition; essentially mint.

From a fine southern collection of early woodenware, purchased years ago from Steve Powers. 

Read more

Delightful Pair Portrait MINIATURES

American or English, 19th C., watercolor on paper.

Information on the backs of the frames indicates the names Janice Ward, and her little brother Thomas. One appears to be dated 1830 on the frame back. The images are beautifully composed retaining strong colors, the subjects in full length. The girl on a woodlands trail with her pull-toy, the little boy in dress seated holding a booklet.

Gilt frames about 7 inches x 6 ½. Formerly in a fine long time private NYC collection..

Read more

Exceptional
Small Portrait
A Lovely Young Lady
.....SOLD 

Northeast, ca. 1810-1820, likely New York, Pennsylvania, or Ohio.  Oil on thin wooden panel.
Soft and very pleasing.

The young lady in profile with lacy high-waisted dress with pink ribbon, her hair held up on a comb with distinctive tendrils. Attributed to Jasper Miles, formerly misidentified tied as “Mr. Boyd”, was the subject of a research paper in Magazine Antiques in 2016. This portrait bears that distinctive Jasper Miles "horn shaped" inner ear, and precise attention to detail in the hair.

Excellent untouched condition. Old frame not original yet works well with the portrait. Shadows may be faintly seen about the perimeter of the portrait from the first frame. Frame size about 9 inches x 6 ¾. 

More Information

Folk Art Portrait of a Young Boy.
Prior-Hamblen School
.....SOLD

New England, probably Boston, ca. 1840-1850. Oil on board. Attributed to E.W. (Eli) Blake, a physician at a Boston hospital, who is believed to be the "Double Swag Artist" and/or the “Pointed Finger Artist”.

The very pleasing gray-blue eyed little boy wears a GREEN buttoned shirt with white collar and holds a riding crop ......

Read more

Colorful Primitive
House Portrait
or Birth Record
  

American, Pennsylvania, dated 1850.

Fraktur watercolor and ink on paper. Above the date and flanking it on the left and right written in ink in German. I suspect the translation would tell us who was born on this property in 1850 (would welcome translation). Even toning to the paper.

Painted frame appears original with nicely bubbled glass, frame size about 15 inches x 12 ¾..

Read more