A Bilston and a Wednesbury Patch Box, English, c.1800

Bilston and Wednesbury were the two most famous centers for enameling in South Staffordshire. The Bilston motto box on the left is transfer printed and painted. The inscription reads: Esteem this GIFT for those who give, And Joy attend you while you live. A dove and heart adorn each side. The royal blue enamel box (on the right) with thick white decoration was likely made in Wednesbury, a center for the finest painted enamels. Price: $450 each.

An Early Bilston Enamel and Copper Patch Box, c. 1780-90

A very pretty Bilston copper and enamel patch box with elegant Adams-style swags and borders. It has a lovely pastel duck-egg blue base, which is quite unusual, and a white lid with the inscription: Love the Giver. The original steel mirror is in place and the hinge and closure are good. 1 1/2" across. Price: $495

Girl's Linen Day Dress, c.1850

A charming printed day dress from a Massachusetts family in the Peabody area. The linen dress features a gathered bodice and skirt with a wide waistband. Price: $350.

Wafer Iron with Heart, Star and Animal Motifs, 19th C.

A long-handled wafer iron with two opposing circular faces, one with a checkerboard pattern and semi-circle border, the other with hearts, animals and stars. Each round iron plate is 4-3/4" in diameter. The long rounded handles are connected and pivot near the plates. The ends of the handles are formed into a ball about 3/4" in diameter. The total length is about 28". Price: $275.

Girl's Calico Printed Muslin Dress, American, c1850

A wonderful original circa 1850's girl's boldly calico printed muslin dress with a lined bodice, piped at the neckline, the armscyes, the ruffled sleeve hems and above and below the cartridge pleated waistband. Incised shell buttons to the back closure, and an unlined skirt with one tuck above the turned hem. 14" from shoulder to shoulder, a 28" chest, 25" waist and 31" from shoulder to front hem. Price: $275.

Triangular Embroidered Panel/Stomacher, Continental, 1720-1730

A very early 18th century piece of embroidery, that was most likely a stomacher. Floral silks in strong colors are embroidered onto a silk ground and highlighted throughout with couched gold metallic thread. The piece is backed onto hessian for support. The whole garment, stomacher and dress, must have been quite stunning, not to mention quite costly. Appears to be Continental, and perhaps Italian, specifically. 8" in length and nearly 9" at its widest point. Price: $395.

Embroidered Bargello Needle Roll, English, c1860

This is a charming petite needle holder or "roll-up". The outer side is completely covered with a needlepoint flame stitch in soft wool. The lining is a fine twilled wool that has been hand embroidered with the numbers of the various needle sizes (7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & Darners). The entire piece is assembled with tiny hand stitches and trimmed with silk ribbon. It measures 12 3/4" long unrolled and 2 3/8" wide. Price: $320.

Theorem Panels, English or American, c. 1830

Theorem painting, a technique in which stencils are used in applying paint to paper or fabric, became one of the most popular types of painting for women, schoolgirls, and housewives alike. The stencils were cut from horn paper, which was ordinary drawing paper coated with linseed oil, then brushed with turpentine or varnish. The stencil was placed on the material and the open areas were covered with paint. The goal was to create delicate graduations of color within the shapes defined by the stencils. The detail work was done with India ink and a fine sable brush. These examples are painted on cotton velvet with a variety of flowers including roses, sweet pea, bellflower, and anemones, all in shades of pink, blue, mauve, soft brown and green, on a natural colored ground. There are two panels, 7 1/4 " wide, and of varying length. One is left. SOLD

Detail From Two Illustrations on Velum, in the Manner of Jean-Baptiste Pillement, 19th Century

Jean-Baptiste Pillement (1728-1808), born in Lyon, was a painter and designer, whose primary influence was in spreading the Rococo style, and particularly the taste for chinoiserie, throughout Europe. Pillement's illustrations are a mixture of fantastic birds, flora & fauna, human figures, and chinoiserie. His designs circulated widely throughout Europe and were used by engravers and decorators on porcelain, pottery, textiles, fans, wallpaper and silver. Pillement quickly became among the most prolific and successful designers of patterns for these applied arts. These two illustrations were undoubtedly influenced by Pillement. The first is a detail from a waistcoat embroidery design, featuring a profusion of brightly painted flowers (7 1/2" x 10 1/2"). The second, with its fanciful exotic motifs, reflects the chinoiserie craze that existed throughout Europe and America (8" x 11 1/4"). Price: $450 each.

Wood Trade Sign, NY c. 1915

A construction firm that built bridges and railroads in the northeast. $475

Agateware Porringer, 19th Century

Agateware was never made in great quantity and is considered the Holy Grail among a small group of collectors. John Dwight made the earliest agate, the variegated ceramic body that imitates agate stone, in the 1670's and called it "marbled" wares. Commercial production of agateware did not begin until the 2nd quarter of the 18th century. French agate made in Apt beginning in 1768 was almost two decades later than the main production in Staffordshire. This piece of swirled marbleized clay in tones of cream, brown and black is marked "Barnard Apt" on the base. Molded and applied handles. Dimensions: 5" wide, handle to handle, 2 1/2" high. Price: $395.

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Paste Shoe Buckles, c. 1770

Two rows of brilliant round paste stones decorate each of these buckles. The frame is solid silver. The bridge, chape and tongue are steel. One could imagine how these buckles sparkled in the candlelight on a lovely pair of ladies- or gentleman's- shoes. 2 1/4" x 1 7/8". A few missing stones. Price: $450.

Gentleman's Silk Neck Handkerchief, American, 18th Century

The 18th-century man almost always wore some sort of neck cloth, whether fashionably dressed or at labor. The neck handkerchief, a large square of linen, cotton, muslin, or silk, was generally worn by sporting gentlemen and working tradesmen. It could be in white, plain colors, woven checks and stripes, or printed patterns, and was commonly folded and tied around the neck as shown here. (Stickpin Sold). Price: $395.

Turkish Slippers, 19th Century

Yellow kid leather with straight soles. Original gilt leather embroidery and silk pompoms. Reference near identical pair in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston #92.2804). Price: $150

American Pewter Teapot, Westbrook, Maine, Mid 19th Century

A signed American pewter teapot of elegant form, by Rufus Dunham (1837-1860). Price: $295.

Rare Sunwatch / Sundial Compass, Early 19th Century

Very early example of a pocket sunwatch, or personal sundial which relies on the rotation of the earth for perpetual timekeeping accuracy. These were carried in the pocket much like a pocketwatch. This was most likely made in Germany as the compass directions are marked West, Sud, Ost, and Nord. The paper dial is decorated with traditional early european designs of floral sprays, grapes, and leaf swags. A lovely early antique designed for a mariner or traveler. 1 3/4 inches, by a little over 2 inches. Price: $375.

William Hogarth Etching, Heath Edition 1822

This is an original Hogarth etching from the Heath edition, 1822. Heath was the last publisher to print directly from Hogarth’s original engraved plates. All ‘Hogarth’ prints appearing after this date are merely copies of these original graphic works of art. Designed & engraved by William Hogarth originally Sept 7, 1762. Framed size - 18 1/2" x 16 1/2". Price: $450.

Carved Acorn w/ Sterling Silver Thimble, English, c. 1860

Whimsical and beautifully detailed thimble holder. The top, with its textured carving and delicate stem, truly resembles a real acorn. Inside is a velvet covered projection to hold the sterling silver thimble, which fits perfectly. The thimble is tall, but small (about a size 6) and has a faceted rim and wrigglework engraved band. Price: $195

Silvermine Antiques - New Canaan, CT

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