Thomas Willis listed as having been born in Connecticut, there is ample evidence that he was born in Denmark and emigrated to CT as a young man. There are pervasive rumors that he lived and worked in New York City as a silk importer or a manufacturer of embroidery thread, which lead to his unique art form; however, his style and technique was fully developed while still living in Europe. Rumors aside, it is well documented that he worked prolifically creating portraits of yachts and steamers on commission for members of the American, New York and Corinthian Yacht Clubs, as well as others. His earliest work tended to be on plain colored silk backgrounds; soon his work featured oil painting on canvas backgrounds, thought to originally have been done for him by friends such as the renowned marine artist Antonio Jacobsen (who shared many of the same clients). It is believed that these artists taught Willis how to paint for himself, eventually becoming quite adept. As such, the painted backgrounds on Willis' work can vary from the still somewhat amateurish to the frankly sublime. He was, however, the only artist working in this unique medium and style, and his art is unmistakable and irrefutable.
19th C. Silk Embroidered and Hand Painted Seascape by Thomas Willis, ca 1890
By Thomas Willis
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Silk Embroidered and Hand Painted Yacht Portrait by Thomas Willis (Danish-American: 1850 - 1925), circa 1890, a seascape with the schooner-rigged racing yacht CALYPSO wi...
Canvas, Silk
Silk Embroidered Hand Painted Seascape by Thomas Willis, circa 1890
By Thomas Willis
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th century silk embroidered and hand painted oil on canvas seascape by Thomas Willis (1850 - 1925), depicting a schooner-rigged racing yacht closely ha...
Canvas, Silk
Lake George Vintage Photograph, circa 1910
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual photograph, circa 1910-1920 where the letters Lake George are made of cutout photographs. Original frame-really a unique object with character and timeless character. Lak...
Paper
$2,171
H 24.51 in W 38.19 in D 10.63 in
Late 19th Century Cased British Sailing Vessel Folk Art Maritime
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A late 19th/early 20th century cased display of a painted British sailing vessel, built by Joseph Packer, who was a carpenter in Ramsey The detailed s...
Blown Glass, Pine
French Carved Snuff Box, Mid-19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The elaborately carved snuff box with a scene of two mermaids on the cover and deeply carved shell on the reverse.
Boxwood
$1,650
H 30 in W 20 in D 5 in
Vintage Thomas Walker & Sons Nautical Trade Sign with Ship Log Instrument
By Thomas Walker & Son Ltd. 1
Located in Morristown, NJ
A vintage trade sign from the esteemed Thomas Walker & Sons Ltd, renowned makers of ship’s logs and chronometers in Southampton, UK. The sign is be...
Metal
$1,722
H 6.3 in W 20.67 in D 3.35 in
A rare 19th century folk art diorama of two sailing vessels racing at sea.
Located in Central England, GB
This most attractive mid 19th century folk art cased diorama shows a view at sea with a large three mast English ship being chased in a racing situation by a smaller and faster single mast yacht. Both are passing by a lighthouse which is in the foreground. This diorama has been beautifully handmade. The vessel, sails and lighthouse are all hand carved in wood and very nicely painted in bright colours as is the setting of the choppy sea which has most likely been formed in papier mâché. The most appealing element of this piece is its small compact size which easily lends itself for display on a shelf, table or perhaps wall mounted. The case is made from nailed pine boards which have been papered and painted black and finished with a glazed front set into putty. The glass is original and period with lovely handmade imperfections. This decorative diorama is in excellent original condition. English, circa 1860 Height 16cm x width 52.5cm x depth 8.5cm max. Thank you for looking at this rare and interesting 19th century diorama...
Other
$3,850 / set
H 16.75 in W 14.75 in D 2.75 in
English Pair of Autumn Hunting Scenes by William Manners, Oil on Board, 1890
Located in Morristown, NJ
William Manners (1860–1930), Pair of Autumn Hunting Scenes, 1890 There is a quiet stillness to these two small paintings. Painted in 1890 by British artist William Manners, each dep...
Giltwood, Paint
19th Century English Folk Art Encased Ship Diorama
Located in London, GB
19th Century Folk Art Encased Ship Diorama A delightful and highly decorated example of a late 19th century English folk art ships model diorama...
Glass, Wood
Chinese Antique Signed Embroidered Silk Framed Painting
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Tall framed and matted Chinese embroidered silk painting depicting birds and flowers and shrubbery. Signed with calligraphy inscription and r...
Silk, Wood
$14,000
H 58 in W 20 in D 18 in
American Gilt Carved Wood and Poly Chromed Roman Guard Figurehead, Circa 1890
Located in Charleston, SC
American gilt carved wood and poly chromed nautical figurehead of Roman guard in military attire. Late 19th century.
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Painted Wood Relief Model of a Three-Mast Ship, 20th Century
Located in Buchanan, MI
A painted wood relief model of a three-mast ship 20th century With a plaque reading Oriol 1884, in a shadowbox frame. Measures: 26 1/2 x 13 1/2 inches (fra...
Canvas
19th Century Diorama of Sailing Ship ‘Eleanor’
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century diorama of the sailing ship ‘Eleanor’ in original glazed case. Painted antique shadowbox diorama of a three-masthead clipper ship alo...
Glass, Wood
19th Century Boxed Ships Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
19th century ships compass set into a dovetailed box with sliding lid. Brass bowl compass with gimbaled. Weight is 9 pounds.
Brass
Sold
H 23.5 in W 29.5 in D 4.25 in
19th C. Silk Embroidered and Hand Painted Seascape by Thomas Willis
By Thomas Willis
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th century silk embroidered and hand painted oil on canvas seascape by Thomas Willis (1850 - 1925), depicting the schooner-rigged racing yacht MARION W...
Canvas, Silk
Thomas Willis Silk Embroidered Yacht Seascape, circa 1890
By Thomas Willis
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique silk embroidered yacht portrait by Thomas Willis (1850-1925), depicting the schooner-rigged racing yacht America, the winner of the 1851 America'...
Canvas, Silk
Silk Mounted Oil on Canvas Seascape by Thomas Willis, circa 1880
By Thomas Willis
Located in Nantucket, MA
Silk mounted and embroidered portrait of a Schooner-Rigged Yacht, hand tied onto an oil on canvas Seascape, by Thomas Willis (Danish-American: circa 1850...
Canvas, Silk