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JOHN BREWSTER JR. Sensitive Portrait of a Young Man
New England, early 19th century.
Oil on canvas. The red-haired gentleman painted half-length, in black high collared coat with white vest and tie. As often seen in portraits by Brewster, the young man is rendered with a soft, calm, appealing disposition. John Brewster Jr. was a deaf-mute, raised in a highly cultured family with seven brothers and sisters.....
Militia Canteen
in Terrific Blue Paint
New England, “cheesebox form” ca. 1800-1825 (War of 1812 era).
Appears to be pine top and bottom and perhaps ash as the sidewall. Beautiful original blue paint centered by the initials P.R.C., probably for the militiaman for whom it was made. The pride of being a member of the militia was so strong that canteens were often decoratively embellished to represent the militia company, this one in such good condition likely used just for ceremonies.
About 6 3/8 inch diameter x 2 1/4 tall. Provenance: includes Sam Forsythe; private Northeast collection.
Ship Portrait of the Isaac Webb
Black Ball Line
At Castle Garden
New York
19th century. Signed lower left L.A. Brigg. Dated [18]51. Watercolor and pencil on paper, showing the Isaac Webb leaving the New York City harbor, with side-winder paddle-wheelers in the background, as well as buildings and other tall ships near Castle Garden in an unusual vignette. Prominent display of American flags aboard ship and at the harbor.
The Black Ball Packet Line was founded in 1817 at New York City by shipbuilder William H. Webb, who owned 1/16 share of the ship named after his father Isaac. From 1851 to 1879, the Isaac Webb, which was 185 feet long weighing 1,359 tons, traveled between NYC and Liverpool, England 4 times per year, taking typically 37 days to cross. The Webb was captured by a Confederate ship, the Florida in June, 1863. After paying a $40,000 ransom (about $1,600,000 now) the ship was released. In December 1866, while heading west to New York, the Webb encountered a gale so cold that it killed three crew members with several others badly frostbitten. The captain was killed during a fierce gale on the same route two years later.
In a period gilt frame that may be original. Frame size 26 inches x 20; sight size 21 inches x 15. From a fine private Midwestern collection.
Exceptional Schoolgirl Coastal Riverscape or Inlet and Townscape
New England, ca. 1820.
Likely Portland, Maine.
Watercolor, pen & ink, on paper.
This painting excels with boldly saturated blues and verdant greens and a composition rich with cool vignettes, featuring a large ocean sailing ship, flying the American flag, likely safely anchored from the Atlantic within the river.....
Provenance includes a private midwestern collection; Jon and Rebecca Zoler, Sotheby’s 2005; private Portland Maine collection; F.O. Bailey, 1988.
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Delightful Painted Clock Face
Northeast, ca. 1820. Colorful painting on pine, featuring a polychrome bird in profile perched upon expressive flowers and vining, which are echoed in the four corners balancing the dial. Note how the numeral ‘4’ is represented as IIII, as was typical on earlier sun and clock dials. Tall case clocks were often the collaboration of a maker of the works, the case, and an artist, who painted the dial.
This clock face is particularly imaginative and pleasing. About 17 1/8 inches tall x 12 wide. The best example I have acquired in a long time.
TEA TABLE.
18th Century
Design Triumph.
.....sale pending
New England, perhaps Massachusetts, ca. mid-18th century.
PERFECTION in the proportion of its double-splayed baluster-turned legs in relation to the apron and its overhanging oval top. Note the apron is not squared, rather canted, and with molded lower edges. Appears to be maple with period black paint on red graining, the top well worn. Expertly turned and joined by a skilled and sophisticated maker with crisp lathe and molding work, with mortice and tenon joinery retaining wooden pegs that stand well proud of the surface. Structurally sensational condition including turned feet of full height.
Diminutive size of just 23 ¾ inches tall; top: 27 3/4 x 21 ¼, suggesting use as a in-home tea table. From a private New England collection purchased decades ago at the Wilton Antique Show in Connecticut.
18th century design at its finest, made during a period in which for many the design of their furniture (as in art or sculpture) was as important as its function.