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Bright Beautiful Gameboard
American, ca. 1870
An exceptional example with rich colors that are eye-catching even from across a room.
Each square divided into halves with similar hues yet at different intensities, creating a movement that feels three-dimensional. The artist enclosed the board within a black border which influenced the perception of even more saturation, while enlivening the border with pin-striping and tiny bursts. “Square” cut-nail applied picture-frame molding to the single board. Finely crazed surface; some old abrasions and touch up.
An authentic antique that would enhance either the historic or modern home. About 15 1/2 inches square x 1 inch thick.
Provenance: Long time top-shelf Southern gameboard collection.
Classic Country Form
Candle Wallbox
in Red Paint
.....sale pending
New England, ca. 1800.
The complex surface of original warm-red paint reveals the effect of two centuries of use and environment.
Robustly made from thick stock of white pine, featuring a shaped backboard, sloping sidewalls, and forward canted front framing a deep well, the canting enabling one to easily reach in and remove a candle. Joinery by large cut nails.
Structurally superb, no repairs, untouched surface. About 13 ¾ inches tall x 12 5/8 wide x 6 deep. Pure and honest, a great “read”. Provenance: Stephen-Douglas; private Northeast collections.
Brilliant 2-Sided Polychrome Gameboard
American, ca. 1870
Two beautiful gameboards in one, painted by a skilled coach-painter.
Checkers-Chess on one side, backgammon on the reverse. The checkers side has a clever gold border which gives the illusion of a "raised" playing field, enclosed within another green border decorated by pin striping and corner cartouches. All within another gold border and “square” cut-nail applied picture frame molding.
The reverse backgammon personalized with initials within a central medallion centering precisely rendered geometrics. Finely crazed surface; expected minor abrasions. About 16 inches square by 1 inch thick.
Provenance: Long time top-shelf Southern gameboard collection. .
THE
PUFFY SLEEVE ARTIST
.....SOLD
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.
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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..
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.
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 ......