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The
RED BOOK ARTIST
Rare PAIR
of Profile Portraits
Likely New Hampshire, ca. 1830.
The sitters are rendered in three-quarter length on paper, hands in opaque (gouache) white watercolor each holding a red book with distinctive long curled-upward thumbs. The outer hands are also white yet with a subtle blue tint, and rest on their hips.
The stylish gentleman in long black coat (with sharp little spike at the shoulder), with blue vest, the blue echoed in the trim of the lady’s beautiful lace collar which falls over her shoulders.
Their heads are hollow-cut backed by black silk, bodies are watercolor with gouache detailing. Hair is painted, hers up in a comb as typically seen in this period.
Presented in mahogany veneered frames which are likely original (backboards replaced), frames about 6 inches x 5. The lady’s background is lighter and a bit puckered indicating that she lost her backboard early on. The gentleman’s is lightly toned from longer contact with its original backboard.
The book the gentleman is holding initialed “HH”, which may be important, as another portrait by the Red Book Artist has pencil inscribed on the back “H.P. Hammons, Concord, NH”. This suggests that H.P Hammons could be the name of the Red Book Artist.
Delightful Pair of
Brass Candlesticks
.....sale pending
England, ca. 1710-1720.
Emulating similar forms in silver of that period, and at just 5 ¾ inches tall, this charming pair of 3-century old candlesticks can enhance the atmosphere of a room, period or contemporary, and can be placed on candlestands, chests, dinner tables, mantels, and shelves.
Broad stable octagonal bases with seamed stems (typical in the 18th century) with baluster turnings and round candle cup. Retain their original push up rods to extract the last little bit of the candles. Superb condition..
Superior
Paint Decorated
Watch Hutch
So good!
.....sale pending
Pennsylvania, ca. 1800-1825.
With a REMARKABLE degree of precision and skill in its making and a sensational dry untouched surface.
Basswood, featuring a black and white hex spiral (compass rose) and highly oxidized bittersweet paint overall. The “tombstone” top formed by cutting kerfs into its underside so it could be bent into the round. The hinges are made in a Pennsylvania (Lancaster) tradition incorporating tin-tabs piercing the side wall. The original wavy glass is held in the corners by tin “points”. Joinery by square wooden pegs and hide glue.
About 9 inches tall x 3 5/8 wide x 1 ¾ deep.
Although known as a watch hutch to display a prized timepiece (and function as a wall clock), this hutch could have also displayed a choice piece of jewelry.
Important provenance includes the historic William Koch collection, Courcier and Wilkins, and exceptional private Connecticut collection.
Remarkable
Carved and Painted
Valuables Box
.....SOLD
Probably Dutch-origin, ca. mid 18th century.
In ancient beautiful patinated blue paint over traces of red. The carving is a tour-de-force by a master, the over-hanging top centered by a hex-symbol, the outer walls deeply carved to complement and balance the design of the lid.
Although small, this very special box is stoutly made from oak with dovetailed joinery and over-sized iron hinges and lock to protect valuable contents. Retains its working key (the box still locks and unlocks). Imagine what it could have secured?
The lid opens to a folk-art painted interior of cherries and leaves, and trees subtly rimming the inner walls. The cherries symbolize everything from the soul, paradise, purity, sweet nature, to good fortune and happiness, and the trees symbolize life.
About 10 7/8 inches wide x 10 deep x 4 ¼ tall. Probably gifted at a wedding or other important event. Private Connecticut collection purchased years ago from noted dealer Gordon Wolcott Deming of Duxbury, Massachusetts.
.
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 ......
Rare ELL RULE
Dated 1738
.....sale pending
Wrought in iron, inlaid in brass with the initials ‘ST’ and the date ‘1738’. England.
In England at this time, the “ELL RULE” was a standard measure of length by which all cloth was sold, based loosely on the length of an arm. Ell translates to "arm", and now in modern English "elbow" (arm-bend). There are several scribed lines on this ell suggesting shorter lengths were also measured.
In perfect condition with rich surface, this wrought ell is flattened and tapers from the dated area to the bottom end. Above the date is fully rounded, with pierced finial for hanging and flatten knop. Total length about 36 inches. .
Heart and Hand
with Love Birds
Skillfully Cut
Love Token
Probably New England, ca. mid-19th century.
Tiny, fine paper cuttings of a pair of love birds resting on a heart-in-hand, the heart woven, surrounded by an oval of plaited hair, all set upon a blue-silk backing. Presented in a deeply carved hardwood frame which is likely the original.
The frame about 4 5/8 inches x 3 ½. Over 20 years in a private Northeast collection, previously from Madeline Killeen, Ithaca, NY.
Fine Burl Bowl with Especially Good Surface
Northeast, ca. 1800. Ash burl, lightweight, thinly and expertly turned on a slow lathe, in the classic rimmed and footed form of this period.
With an especially desirable very dry surface, never varnished, nutty brown color, showing darkening at the rim, graduating to less away from the rim, reflecting how is was handled.
Fine condition; internal checks; hairline at rim. About 7 7/8 inches diameter x 3 1/8 tall.
Provenance includes a Midwest collection; Bob Jessen and Jim Hohnwald (NH). .