Folk Art

Painting. Acrylic on canvas by Gerard Economos (French,1935-) Gerard Economos is known for his passionate, intensely colored abstract compositions and large acrylic paintings that have been performed live in front of audiences in 12 countries. Economos has had over 88 events over the last 57 years and his work is now in collections in over 34 countries. He started Live Performances with the Greek avante-garde composer and architect, Iannis Xenakis during a Sound Festival; Subsequently he developed the "Une Musique a Voir" (A music to see) concept. 'La Cuisine aux Fleurs' (Cooking with Flowers) was a series of paintings initiated at the request of the renowned French Chef, Raymond Oliver in 1975 who wished to have his recipes illustrated. They have been rarely shown in public. For an illustrated 15 page biography of Economos please contact Thomas Gallery Ltd...

This amazing collection of four 19th century sponge ware serving platters are in fantastic condition. These platters are so hard to find in pristine condition.

Eight pieces Mush cup & saucer sponge ware collection of eight cups and saucers in mint condition. Great addition for a Americana collector. Each Mush Cup measures 6.75 deep x 5 ...

19th century sponge/spatter ware vegetable serving bowl. This fine example is in great condition and hard to find.

This 19th century monumental mush c & s in sponge ware is quite rare to find and is in pristine condition. Great addition to any collection.

Cool vintage highway sign in cobalt blue reflective metal. Depicts a person sleeping in bed. Sign was used to direct drivers to hotels/motels up ...

Collection of five sponge ware pottery pitchers in pristine condition. The colors are all slightly different and the form are all the same.

Oil on canvas by Guy Vandenbranden, Belgium, 2000.

Wonderful 19th century deep blue sponge serving platter in pristine condition. The dark blue is fantastic.

Two 19th century American sponge ware pottery pitchers are in good condition. These wonderful hand-painted glazed pitchers have a handmade look.

19th century oval sponge ware pottery platter. Great for serving food or fruit.

This large amazing 19th century sponge ware platter is in pristine condition and has a interesting slight warping as was in the making. The condition is very good. The shape is very ...

Vintage highway gas station sign from Texas. Blue sign with white graphics. Great coloring. Good condition.

Whimsical vintage highway sign from Texas. Blue sign with with graphics of a trailer. Good vintage condition.

These rectangular spongeware serving bowls are great for fruit or vegetables. The condition are pristine. The colors are fantastic. Sold as pair.

This fine small wonder is in mint condition and color is key on this piece. This could be used for cream or any dressings. It is quite rare to see or find the miniature pieces as the...

An almost six foot tall die cut steel figure of Uncle Sam with original paint on a stand that allows it to fully revolve. A great image with striking facial fe...

This is a group of three sponge ware vegetable bowls all in mint condition. The pair of bowls are 8.5" long x 6" wide. The third bowl is 6.5" wide x 9" long. These three bowls are so...

Rare 19th century matching set of six sponge ware luncheon plates 8.5" in. diameter all in mint condition. Set of six sponge ware dinner plates 9" diameter all in mint condition. Sol...

This early 19th century sponge ware oval platter and sponge ware serving pitcher are in great condition with crazing throughout. The back of the platter and interior of the pitcher s...

This pair of vibrant blue and white spongeware pottery oval serving bowls. The pair are in pristine condition.

These amazing hand-painted and glazed American sponge ware plates are a perfect matched set. They are in pristine condition.

This collection of six matching 19th century spongeware pottery cups and saucers are in pristine condition. Everything is in pristine condition. Total of 1...

This amazing all handmade and hand quilted early 19th century trapunto sham with a wonderful interesting swag inner border. The hand tied fringe border is also in great as found cond...

This is like a collectors dream! Set of six matching blue and white 19th century sponge ware dinner plates. The entire group are in pristine condition. The sponge pattern is on both ...

These large mush cups and saucers are quite rare and a group of four is most unusual to find. The collection is in pristine condition.

This pair of early spatter ware are in pristine condition and have such a wonderful deep blue glaze. The condition are mint. The bake dish is 10" deep and the charger is 11" diameter...

Henri STEPHANY ( 1880 - 1934 ) Frequently collaborated with Jacques Emile RUHLMANN "Fruits" circa 1933 Gouache on paper H.19"3/4 x W.18"3/8 H.27...

COLORADO STATE FLAG OF EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY, MADE OF SILK, CIRCA 1911-1920’s, EXTRAORDINARILY RARE IN THIS PERIOD AND THE EARLIEST EXAMPLE THAT I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED Early state flags are few and far between. While I am asked for them constantly, most states did not actually have official flags until the 20th century. On May 6th, 1911, Colorado became among the last to adopt a design. The project of doing so was spearheaded by the Denver Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The bill was introduced by Senator W.H. Sharply and adopted by the Eighteenth General Assembly. The artwork was the product of A.C. [Andrew Carlisle] Carson, President of the Ohio Society of Colorado. The meanings behind the elements in the design are as follows: The large letter "C" stands for Colorado and simultaneously for the Centennial State (Colorado entered the Union in 1876, the year in which our nation celebrated its 100th anniversary of independence), as well as the Columbine State (reflecting the state flower). The red color is included due to the fact that the word Colorado translates to scarlet or red in Spanish. The circle represents the sun, while the gold color symbolizes all-the-year sunshine, Colorado’s status as the greatest gold state, and one Columbine color. It was also included so that the Colorado state flag would have one more color than the U.S. flag. The color white reflects Colorado’s status as the greatest silver state, its eternal mountain snow, and one Columbine color. Lastly, the shade of Yale blue symbolizes all-the-year blue sky and one Columbine Color. Members of the D.A.R. were proud to note that this was also their color. Made sometime between the initial year of the adoption of this design and the 1920’s, this particular flag is the earliest Colorado example that I have ever encountered. The blue and white bars, red “C,” and golden circle are a’’ made of silk taffeta. This was a costly fabric, reserved for the best material a flag-maker produced. The flag is constructed in the manner of a battle flag, to be carried on foot. Squarish in its overall profile, silk was the fabric of choice for flags employed in this function, due to the fact that it was light weight, and thus practical for hand-carrying, while simultaneously formal in appearance, appropriate for the sort of ceremonial use that military presentation often demands. The style of the hoist is also typical for field or parade use. Here the fabric was rolled over to form an open sleeve, through which a wooden staff could be inserted. The sleeve is lined on the interior with black cotton. Leather tabs, at the top and bottom, fit over metal posts on the staff, designed to accept them, to fix the flag in its proper position. The bars were pieced and joined with lineal machine stitching. The hoist and fly ends were finished and hemmed by the same method. The devices are double-appliquéd (applied to both sides) with a machine buttonhole / blanket stitch. Though machines that produced buttonholes were, remarkably, available alongside the earliest standard machines, in the 1850’s and 60’s, the use of this sort of stitch in a running format, for appliqué work, remained highly unusual, even as late as the first half of the twentieth century, probably because it used a ton of thread when compared to the zigzag or satin stitch. It could be expected to appear more often in the hands of a maker of very fine flags, that employed embroidery machines and commissioned custom, fancy work of all sorts. Though unsigned—in no way uncommon in early examples, which were seldom signed—that is precisely the sort of firm that produced the Colorado flag...

Spectacular Royal blue "Florence" Fine art wall plate by acclaimed Finnish ceramic artist Birger Kaipiainen (1915-1988) for Arabia Finland. Designed and manufactured in the 1950s. Relief decor with ceramic pearls, gildings and iridescent glaze. Depicting a white butterfly, white and golden pocket watches...

Fantastic lidded porcelain jar with a beautiful deep, dark cobalt hare's fur glaze by famed Danish designer/ceramist Eva Stæhr Nielsen. This piece features her iconic dripped bluish,...

Fantastic colors and condition Tex coco Indian weaving bolster pillows. Sold as a pair.