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Rare Stoneware Jar with Folk Art Owl
....sale pending
Believed to have been made in Indiana, ca. 1840-1860.
Salt-glazed cylindrical tapered stoneware jar with cobalt-blue decoration of an anthropomorphic bird that appears to be a fun stylized owl, and a blue tree, all on a warm beige ground. Anthropomorphic animal forms on stoneware are rare. The neck and rim are delightfully wonky which amplifies the folk art appeal.
Fine condition with just minor old rim chips. The underneath retains an old green-felt. Nice small size of about 10 ½ inches tall, 5 inch diameter at the base.
Strong provenance from 30+ years ago includes Bob Brown, Hope, Indiana; John Keith Russell, South Salem, New York; and Burton and Helaine Fendelman, New York City, and a private New England collection for the past 15-20 years.
Outstanding 14-Light
Tin Chandelier.
New England
ca. early 19th century.
Step into the elegance of early 19th century New England. In an era when candles were often a luxury, this masterful tinned sheet-iron chandelier likely graced the hall of a prestigious meetinghouse or the opulent interior of an affluent home.
A testament to the skill of its tinsmith, three tiers of candle holders are elegantly joined by sweeping arms. Embellished with crimped round reflectors and skillfully shaped stars, it not only served as a source of illumination but also as a work of art. Imagine it lit two centuries ago as it cast enchanting patterns of light and shadow that danced along its surroundings. The large drop not only balances the design it also reinforces the frame.
Remarkably preserved this chandelier stands as a testament to the enduring craftsmanship of its time.
Compact dimensions of about 23 inches maximum diameter x 28 inches in height. From a private New England collection. One is unlikely to find a finer example.
Beautiful
Paint Decorated
Blanket Chest
Northeast, ca. 1830.
.....sale pending
Original bold paint decoration on white pine. Red ground, the front, sides, and top centered by mustard roundels, most enclosing green pinwheels, the boards edged by stylized mustard hearts and green leaves.
Note the Mason’s symbol just below the key hole!
The case is expertly dovetailed by a skilled cabinet-maker. Extensively glue-blocked underneath. Surfaces show substantial hand-planing tool marks.
The interior has a locking till, cleverly fitted with internal holes to hold pins matching those within a sliding drawer underneath, such the contents of the drawer may not be accessed if the till is locked.
Structural condition is superb. The stout pine boards remain square and straight. Original iron hinges; lock is gone. Chains added to the interior to prevent the lid from falling over backwards. Expert restoration of the under-the-lid molding strips on the front and one side, so well done that one struggles to find them. Paint wear, especially to the top and creases to the wood; minor paint touch-up on one foot.
Smaller size at just 39 ¼ inches at the widest-which is the overhanging lid. Case width 37 ½ inches wide x 20 deep.
Early New Hampshire
Birth Records
MOSES CONNOR Jr
(active 1800 to 1832)
Watercolor and ink on paper, celebrating Adeline W. Harriman and Daniel F. Wyman, born 1815 and 1826, respectively.
Confidently attributed to Moses Connor based on similar distinctive signed birth records including one in the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord. Other examples of his work are in Old Sturbridge Village and the New York State Museum.
Born in Wolfeboro, Moses Connor was a teacher there beginning in 1808 and decorator of documents such as birth certificates.
Typical of other Moses Connor distinctive birth records.....MORE
Large Bold Presentation
Carved Pie Crimper
Likely Maine, originally found in an attic in Arundel, Maine.
Hardwood (perhaps birch) and pine in rich, natural patina. Carved in shape and decoratively with pinwheels, geometrics and vining. Deeply carved wheel shrunken well out-of-round and joined to the handle with non-iron pins, perhaps pewter, to prevent rusting. Likely made to be gifted for wedding, birthday, or anniversary.
An impressive 12 ¼ inches long. From a fine long time New England antique and folk art collection.
ZEDIKIAH BELNAP
Portrait of a
Young Woman
ca. early 19th century.
.....SOLD
Oil on wooden panel,
the panel prepared as consistent with Belnap in tight diagonal score lines (to help the paint adhere better and the surface to be more canvas-like). The half-length portrait of the young woman is in the distinctive style of Belnap, including the decorative use of elaborate costume, with generous sheer lace collar, flowing shawl, and stylish hair with showy curls.
The back retains chalk and paper-written descriptions by what appears to be the “Pingree” family which with research would likely lead to biographical information about the sitter.
The exceptional frame, in black-paint, of about 31 x 27 inches is probably original. The portrait appears to be untouched. From a long time fine New England collection.
For reference about Belnap, see FOLK ART’S MANY FACES, PORTRAITS IN THE NEW YORK STATE HISTORICAL MUSEUM, pp 37-41.
Rare Ash Burl
Double-Bowl
One of only two known
Northeast, ca. 1760-1780
.....sale pending
Turned from one knot of densely figured ash burl, the upper bowl with an interior lip that extends into the lower to allow them to fit together. Both bowls footed. When flipped the cover can be used as a bowl of equal size to the base.
Unquestionably by the same hand as the example in the renowned Katcher collection, which has been described as an ingenious “American Treen Masterpiece” (more)
Little Chip-Carved
Sliding Lid Box
Dated 1798
Probably New England, a hardwood that may be yellow birch. Carved from the solid, with chamfered sliding lid, extensive chip carving about the perimeter, hex-shaped pinwheels on the sides, and dated 1798. The whole naively carved as a contrast to the “pedantic” Friesen examples.
Just 7 ½ inches long. Could have had a number of uses, from holding tapersticks to a razor. From a New England collection.
Large Redware Mug
With Brilliant Glaze
.....sale pending
Northeast, likely Western New York
ca. 1840-1860.
Redware with very colorful mottled orange and sage-green glaze. The glaze with spotted impurities that were not intended as decoration yet add decorative interest.
Large size at about 5 ¾ inches tall. Excellent condition; no restoration. Provenance includes Sam Herrup; private Northeast collection. Early and color!
Striking Rare Inlaid Cherry Candlestand
Attributed to
NATHAN LUMBARD Worcester County, MA
ca. 1800.
Cherrywood, with serpentine-shaped top of figured cherrywood, with striped-inlaid hearts at the corners and centered by an inlaid pinwheel. The column features a deeply carved spiral fluted urn, supported by a tripod base with distinctive spurred knees.....