WONDERFUL PAINT DECORATED VALUABLES BOX $1150 
Beautiful paint decorated paper over hand-planed domed-top wood (one can see and feel the plane marks).  Marbled paper in faux-tortoise shell, perhaps executed by one who might decorate books of the period.  Completely original including hasp, lock, and brass.  Also beautifully  papered interior.  Note usage of rose-head nails.  Just 7 inches long.  Ca. 1790.

THE PUFFY SLEEVE ARTIST SILHOUETTES $14,500
These silhouettes are pictured facing one another on pages 46 and 47 of "A Loving Likeness-American Folk Portraits of the Nineteenth Century" from the collection of Susan and Ray Egan, exhibited at the Gallery of Bristol-MeyersSquibb in 1992. American, ca. 1830. Both hollow-cut with woven-cloth backing, watercolor, and pen, probably original frames, 5 x 4 inches. The woman, "D.W.", with high lace collar and book, and blue highlights. Note her tiny hand. The husband of D.W. with brown vest. As with other recorded works by this artist, the woman faces right and wears a dress with an unusually large puffy sleeve, with right hand at waist height, left hand holding an object (often a book), and hair comb has been cut into the hollow work with hair painted about it. Also consistent with other puffy sleeve works, the man faces left, hair painted about his head, and left hand resting at hip height. The puffy sleeve artist was believed to work in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts in the years 1830-1831. . For additional reference, please see American Folk Portraits, Paintings and Drawings from the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Center at Colonial Williamsburg.

EXCEPTIONAL ASH BURL BOWL $5500
American, Northeastern United States, ca. 1780-1800.  Thinly lathe-turned by an accomplished turner, with exceptional color and condition.  In the form of porcelain, pewter, and silver bowls of the late 18th century.  Retains very thin old varnish external surface, with dry interior exhibiting hundreds of knife marks.  Desirable rim and foot molding.  Superb condition!  About 15 inches diameter x 5 3/4 inches tall (deep compared to its width).

WONDERFUL PAINT DECORATED DOCUMENT BOX  $2950
New England, probably Maine, ca.  1825. Exceptional paint in superb condition, retaining original lock, hasp, keeper, and hinges.  Bold initials "FT" on the lid, undoubtedly the first owner.  Dimensions 12 inches long x 6 1/4 deep x 7 1/4 to the top of the domed lid.  Desirable free-form decoration including by-hand (literally).  Early American boxes of this size, color, and condition are very hard to find.

RARE, LIKELY UNIQUE, ASH BURL HANDLED CHOPPER   P.O.R.
American, ca. 1780-1820, with a sculptural stature and form.  Note the flaring, complex handle that emulates a whales-tail.  Distinguished provenance.  9 1/4" tall.  Pictured on pages 85 and 85 of
"North American Burl Treen, Colonial and Native American", Powers.

OUTSTANDING NEW ENGLAND PORTAITS ON PINE PANELS SOLD
Possibly Vermont, ca early 19th century. These portraits have not been on the market for many years. They are beautifully painted onto pine panels, with wonderful color contrast between the brightly paint-decorated green chairs and red books. The subjects are a particularly pleasing and attractive couple with sanguine disposition. The books were likely a device to communicate that the couple was educated. The gentleman's books are "Night Thoughts" and "Clarks Commentary"; the lady holds a hymnal. In fine condition with just minor in-painting. Currently unframed. Approximately 23 x 28 inches each. A superb pair of New England folk portraits!

SCARCE HANGING PIPE BOX IN ORIGINAL RED AND BLACK PAINT $3950
American, ca. late 18th/early 19th C.  Pine or poplar.  Original red paint and black striping on the face of the drawer, body, and lollipop hanger.  The paint is coated with an early dry and highly crystallized/grungy varnish.  Ebonized pull appears original.  Drawer is dovetailed, and  strengthened with cut nails.  Case is cut nailed.  Upper well interior is very dry.  Lollipop hanger has great wear within the elongated hole (I love how narrow the neck is).  Thumbnail molding about the drawer facing.  Deep dark patina on shoulders and top of well-sides.  Found in a collection in Utica, NY.  New York State or New England.  Small castle scene on the front, which may be decoupage, is reminiscent of similar scenes in Hudson River paintings.  Height 13"; 5 3/4" W; 4 1/2" deep at case; 5 1/2 deep from back to front of pull.   A scarce form and survival.

FABULOUS PAINT-DECORATED MINIATURE BLANKET CHEST $22,500
A rare combination of transitional Chippendale to Hepplewhite form with exuberant freehand paint decoration on pine, ca. early 19th century. With bittersweet decoration over a mustard ground, this miniature chest sold in January, 2000 at Garth's Auction house in Ohio as part of the Steimel collection. It is a tour-de-force of form, decoration, and proportion. Molded lift-top over a rectangular case supported by a tall, straight-bracket base. Note the "spurs" deftly cut into the scalloped apron below applied molding. Side panels extend down and are cut to mirror the applied aprons. Signed in script under base which may be "Guliver". 15 3/8 by 7 3/4 by 10 inches.