Antiques Associations Members Folk Art

An unusual Castle Hedingham medieval style pottery jug marked for William Rufus (William II, son of William the Conqueror) and made by Edward Bingham ...

A fine vintage British studio pottery lidded vessel by renowned potter Micki Schloessingk (b. 1949) and made in Swansea, Wales. The stoneware vessel is of tall slightly graduated cyl...

American portrait miniature by Thomas Story Officer, Woman in a White Gown, Signed "T.S. Officer, Pinxt", The 1830s The American portrait miniature signed by Thomas Story Officer depicts a beautiful young woman, her red hair “Coeffure a la Chinoise”, sitting in a red chair confidently looking out towards the painter and us, the viewers.  She wears a white dress with a pin in the center of her chest.  Based on her style of dress and her hair, we believe this was painted while Officer was in Philadelphia. It is signed to the lower right "T.S. Officer, Pinxt" along at edge. The reverse has a small oval glass Dimensions: 3 inches high x 2 3/16 inches wide x 1/4 inch deep Reference: Thomas S. Officer: Miniature and Portrait Painter, Gardner Library,  Author: Merri Lou Schaumann. Born in Carlisle in 1810, this gifted artist trained in Philadelphia, traveled extensively and won awards for his paintings. In 1872, James Miller McKim wrote a series of reminiscences for the Carlisle Herald newspaper about the places and people of Carlisle in an earlier day. He wrote that “David Smith, a boot and shoemaker, had two sons… one of whom early developed a taste for art and finally devoted himself to miniature painting as a profession. He was a contemporary, and for a while, a rival of Mr. Thomas Officer, though I believe he never reached the celebrity attained by that gifted young artist. Mr. Officer, by the way, was one of the last miniature painters of any eminence produced by this country, the daguerreotype and photographer having come in to sweep away the entire profession.” Thomas Story Officer was born in Carlisle on August 15, 1810, to cabinetmaker John Officer and his second wife Margaret. He trained in Philadelphia with the well-known portrait painter Thomas Sully and began his career there in the 1830s. Officer left Philadelphia occasionally to paint portraits in Mobile, Alabama in 1837, in Richmond, Virginia in 1845, and in New York City from 1846-1849 where he became a member of the National Academy of Design. In 1842, Officer intended to travel to Mexico and needed a passport. He asked Attorney Charles B. Penrose, formerly of Carlisle, to write a letter of recommendation for him. In his letter to Fletcher Webster, Esq., Penrose wrote, “This will be handed to you by Thomas S. Officer, Esq., a friend of mine, and a native artist of Pennsylvania, who is a gentleman of great talents and respectability. Intending to visit Mexico, he wishes to procure passports at the State Department…”  Officer was issued a passport in July 1842. He was described as 30 years old, 5’ 11” with a “full and round forehead, bluish-gray eyes, an ordinary nose, medium mouth, ordinary chin, sallow complexion with an oval face and brown hair.” Officer went to Mexico and later to Australia. In 1854, he opened a studio in Sandridge, Australia, and while there he “entered several oil portraits in the 1854 Melbourne Exhibition preparatory to sending them to the 1855 Paris Exhibition.” Officer left Australia, and in 1855 he settled in San Francisco where he would spend the last years of his life. He set up a portrait painting department in James Johnson’s photographic gallery in San Francisco. In 1857, Officer received a bronze medal for his oil portraits exhibited at The First Industrial Exhibition of the Mechanics’ Institute of San Francisco, as well as awards at several other exhibits in 1858. A short piece in the San Francisco newspaper, Alta, on October 30, 1859, read, “Mr. Thomas S. Officer, the talented portrait painter, lies near to death’s door and is in pecuniary distress. Out of the many to whose pleasure he has contributed by his gay, social manners, as well as by his pleasing artistic productions, may there not be found someone who will extend a helping hand?”  Officer died on December 8, 1859. Almost an entire column in the January 18, 1860 edition of the Carlisle Herald, was devoted to a very long and informative obituary of Officer taken from the Alta, California newspaper. Officer was buried in the now defunct Lone Mountain Cemetery in San Francisco. In 2014, the Cumberland County Historical Society received a bequest of a portrait painted by Thomas Officer from the estate of historian John J. Snyder, Jr. It joined a miniature portrait already a part of the Society’s museum collection in Carlisle, not far from where Officer was born. Notes: The May 28, 1834 edition of the Carlisle Weekly Herald reported that Thomas S. Officer had "...within the last few weeks, taken the portraits of several gentlemen of this borough...Mr. O. is principally self-taught, and although young, already evinced a degree of taste, judgment, and talent..." A short biography of Officer can also be found in Early American Portrait Painters in Miniature by Theodore Bolton, published by F. F. Sherman (New York, 1921). The entire book is one line  Bio. of Officer on page 117. See Officer’s portrait...

An unusual and interesting antique folkart blue glazed redware pottery jug or flask modeled as a man wearing a night gown and night cap dating from the...

British Sailor's Woolwork of the Barque Polly, Named "Polly", Circa 1885-95 Offered is a magnificent and historically significant British sailor's woolwork, or "woolie," dating to the last quarter of the 19th century. This exceptional piece presents a detailed port-side view of the three-masted barque Polly under full sail. The vessel's name is proudly displayed on a banner flown from the mainmast and is also visible on her bow, a testament to the sailor-artist's pride in his vessel. The artistry of this woolwork is particularly noteworthy. The sails are skillfully executed using the trapunto technique, a form of relief quilting where sections are padded from behind to create a dynamic, three-dimensional effect. This application masterfully conveys the impression of sails swollen with wind, bringing the scene to life. The sea is depicted in a series of rippling bands of green and white wool, a characteristic convention of this folk art form that effectively captures the motion of the water. This historically rich textile is presented in a handsome maple ogee-shaped frame, typical of the period and befitting the quality of the artwork. The piece is glazed with Museum UV glass, a modern conservation measure that significantly reduces light reflection and provides superior protection against fading and light damage. Historical Provenance: The Barque Polly The woolwork is a tribute to a specific and well-documented vessel. The barque Polly was built in the renowned shipyards of Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1885. The ship was christened at its launch by Marian "Polly" Woodside, the wife of the vessel's owner. In a charming departure from the traditional champagne, Mrs. Woodside tossed a cascade of flowers across the bow to christen the ship. The Polly embarked on numerous voyages, primarily serving the trade routes between South America and the United Kingdom, before being repositioned for service in the Pacific. As a barque, the Polly featured three masts, with the fore and mainmasts being square-rigged and the mizzenmast being fore-and-aft rigged. This configuration was highly popular for long-distance merchant vessels as it required a smaller crew than a fully-rigged ship, making it an economical choice for ocean crossings. A label affixed to the reverse of the frame indicates that this woolwork was featured on the acclaimed television program The Antiques Road...

Fine early 19th century Swedish root burl bowl retaining traces of original mustard and ox blood read paint and having lovely organic form with excellent patina.

A very stylish studio pottery raku vase applied with copper metallic glazes, signed and dating from the 20th century. The vase of rounded conical bottle shape stands on a wide rounde...

A large and stylish unusual Norwegian brutalist studio pottery lidded vessel in the form of a tea or water pot with makers marks ODK to the base and believed to date from the mid-20t...

A rare relief carved and painted sailing ship on heavy board depicting a three-masted 26 gun third-class US naval frigate under partially reefed sail nearing a point of land with a l...

A stylish The Friars Aylesford Pottery studio pottery vase decorated in red glazes dating from the 20th century. The Aylesford pottery was founded in 1954 by David Leach who taught...

A finely hand-turned British hard wood ash vase with a green composite marble like rim dating by Andy James and dating from the 20th century. The vase of tall bulbous shape stands on...

A very stylish English Arts & Crafts hand-crafted beaten copper plaque or dish with a heron attributed to renowned Cornish workshop Newlyn and dating from around 1900. The dish is ha...

A truly wonderful design piece, and one of my favourite pieces, is this hand-built wood fired three cornered triangular studio pottery dish of scul...

A rare and unusual studio pottery head sculpted by renowned ceramic artist Eric James Mellon (British, 1925-2014) and dated 1963. Trained at the Central S...

Lovely late 16th or early 17th century Westphalian salt glazed stoneware jug of the "bellarmine" type. Also known as Greybeards or Bartmann jugs, these v...

Fine English early 19th century mahogany cheval mirror, the original mercury glass plate with half round molded cross-grained frame, suspended from ribbe...

A very unusual Aesthetic Movement art pottery silver mounted mug modeled in relief with thirteen grotesque faces and dating from around 1880. The finely...

A stylish and finely made studio pottery jug and vase decorated in trailed glazes by Elizabeth L Anderson and made at the Harbour Pottery at South Quay Studios in Maryport, Cumbria a...

A tall and striking studio pottery porcelain vase decorated in abstract colored glazes on a celadon ground attributed to Derek Clarkson and dating from ...

A stunning studio ceramic porcelain squat shaped miniature rounded vase decorated in a brown stained craquelure glazed finish on a white ground by renowned Cambridgeshire based potte...

A hand-built squat studio pottery vase of slight tapering rhombic form in matte pink glazes by Katerina Evangelidou (Greek, c.1960). The four sided vase has two erupting vertical sea...

A very stylish Arts & Crafts with Gothic elements Edwardian hand crafted patinated copper lidded communion chalice dating from the early 20th Century...

An unusual and unique hand crafted English abstract sculptural crucifix made from 15th century hand wrought iron nails recovered during the restoration of an ancient East...

A very stylish mid-century studio pottery vase in the brutalist style decorated with yellow and green streaked glazes. The heavily made stoneware vase stands on a narrow flat round b...

A stunning three handled art pottery sgraffito pattern vase decorated with two birds perched on oak tree branches by Alexander Lauder, Barnstaple dating from around 1890. This qualit...

A large and stylish studio pottery bowl decorated with an abstract feather patterned design in a grey powdered glaze by David Leach (1911-2005) and probably dating from his early day...

A stylish sculptural Studio Pottery of a bison made by Ann & John Farquharson and dating to the later 20th or early 21st century. The standing figure is hand formed with piped clay t...

A very stylish Scottish studio pottery shallow dish decorated with abstract designs by Barbara Davidson and dating from the early 1970's. The small ro...

A Folk Art two-sided sign maker's sample board in original paint, one side having square color samples with various border treatments, each panel numbered (one through 25), the other...

Vintage still life oil painting on board depicting a pitcher and a bowl of lemons on a checkered towel. Nicely done in confident technique with balanced composition, good color, and ...

A very fine quality large Georgian toleware black japanned bread basket with floral and a bird design probably Pontypool, Wales and dating from aroun...

A truly wonderful design piece, and one of my favorite pieces, is this hand-built wood fired gourd shaped studio pottery bottle vase of sculptural form dating from the 20th century. ...

This is an English mid 19th century, country stool, with a chamfered rectangular Elm top having a hand painted, country scene on it. It has three turned oak legs that are pegged into...

A very stylish Arts & Crafts hand crafted handled copper chestnut roaster dating from around 1890. The chestnut roaster has a hammered and pier...

A rare and unusual antique English large salt glazed stoneware jug modelled a a thatched cottage by Brampton and dating from around 1820. The six sided jug stands raised on a molded ...

Interesting hand thrown Japanese studio pottery creamware vase with a craquelure glaze by Takeshi Yasuda (Japanese, b.1943) dating from the 1980’s. The ...

A very stylish Austrian Art Deco stylized bronze figure of a wading bird by Richard Rohac (Austrian, 1906-1956) made in Vienna in the early 1930’s. Rohac ...

Female Ubangian statue in carved wood represented standing, the body of anthropomorphic type and zoomorphic head. Late 19th Century. Good patina. Past restorations. Provenance : Pr...

A stylish Cornish Celtic studio pottery vase decorated in the blue Medallion design by Everidge Stevens and Maggie Fisher and dating from around 1970. Made in Newlyn the vase of tall funnel or chimney shape has a wider rounded base and narrows slightly to a simple rounded open top. The lower body is decorated in matt black with a raised band separating the base from the continuous decorative pattern applied around the body with abstract incised lines decorated in mottled blue coloring with matt black around the upper rim. The vase has an incised D mark to the base along with an original Celtic Pottery...

From a very large collection of 20th and 21st century Studio Pottery we offer this large and stylish Studio Pottery streak tenmoku colored glaze lidded ewer by Elsa Benattar...

A very stylish English large twin handled studio vase decorated with wheat like grass stems by Shropshire based potter Mark Griffiths (British b.1956) and dating from the 1970’s. The...

A stylish studio pottery porcelain miniature teapot with Islamic influence design in rich gilding on a green coloured ground by renowned potter Mary Rich (b.1940) and dating from the 20th Century. The small barrel...

Fine French full bodied gilt copper rooster weathervane, with expressive face, fully formed tail and fantastic verdigris surface, on contemporary cast iron base

This piece has a heavy thick weave and would lay on the floor better than most.

French 19th c Wood and Paper Covered Painted Box With A Neoclassical, Palladian Style, Building Diorama Under the Glass Top. The 3D scene is of a Classical building with wild game...

Very fine English early 19th Century solid burl yewwood tabletop with molded edge and scalloped sides with mahogany and sycamore compass star inlay, the who...

Baluch Bagface Mat, c. 1900 Additional Information Dimensions: 2'10" W x 2'10" L Origin: Persia Period: c. 1900 Rug ID: 16877

Rare 18th century Whieldon-type creamware pottery cow, circa 1765. The rare press-moulded cow stands on a flat slab base with lobed edges. The cow is s...

An advertising device or tradesign in the form of a brick storehouse, with ten arched windows or pigeonholes to display merchandise, constructed as a roofed box mounted on wheels, fo...

British pottery pearlware sponged spirit flasks modeled in form of boots, Scottish, circa 1840-1850. Wonderfully folky pair of unusual flasks sponged in mottled colors of blue, pin...

A beautifully painted, stylised ritual dance mask with an assertive presence, used by the Gouro people of the Ivory Coast. The mask is in the form of an African wild dog...

Pre World War I Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie Nautical compass mounted by a brass gimbal into a copper brass bound case with sloping glazed aperture with heavily bevelled glass. Flat brass bezel with five holding screws signed ‘E.S.Ritchie’ and numbered 5779. Side opening compartment for a lighted wick with drawer beneath. The compass is mounted in a heavy painted brass bowl with very fine copper pivot supporting the floating direction card. A diaphragm is located in the base of the bowl for temperature compensation. E.S.Ritchie founded the business in 1850 to manufacture mechanical, electrical and scientific instruments. In 1857 he turned his attention to navigational instruments and begun making marine bearing compasses for the U.S.Navy before the American civil war. At the time the British admiralty dry mounted nautical compasses were considered by all navies and commercial shipping companies as the highest technological standard of the day, however, in 1860 Ritchie had received a US patent for the first successful and practical liquid-filled marine compass...

A grasshopper weathervane with body of pitted iron rotating on vertical rod with N E W S directionals below, now on wooden box stand with one side removable. The grasshopper was the ...

British pottery pearlware sponged spirit flasks modeled in form of boots, Scottish, circa 1840-1850. Great fun & so decorative! The pair of unusual flasks are sponged in mottled ...

English pottery hearty good fellow pearlware toby jug circa 1800    An unusual variation on the hearty good fellow standing toby jug, The base in white with the Toby figure standing, supporting a large white jug under his right arm, and holding a pipe with his left hand across his chest with his head turned slightly to the left. He has a bright blue jacket and yellow pantaloons with an orange waistcoat. He has a brown tricorn hat...

A Scottish Arts & Crafts rectangular brass mirror decorated with a hand-hammered celtic weave surrounded by simulated rope borders. Retaining original beveled plate glass. circa 1900.

A fine 18th century Indo-Portuguese corpus, carved out of solid ebony. In very good condition with a good patina.

Most unusual early 19th century Scottish carved Folk Art tea caddy, the lid with foliate carving and knob finial, the body taking its design from the more hi style sarcophagus form b...

Wonderful English 19th century Folk Art sculpture of a man being greeted by his dog, the figure wearing a tall Cornish hat hugging and being hugged by his adoring four legged friend,...

An English shell grotto modelled on a cottage, with doors and a glazed window with mirror interior. Nicely worked throughout with no losses.